The 124th US Open is set to unfurl at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina, scheduling its events from June 13th to June 16th. The course, predicted to be a speedy and sturdy one, will test the skills of the participating players. Out of all four men’s Major Championships, this tournament is known for being the most challenging. The USGA, the authority in charge of the championship, strive to design the competition to be thorough, fair, and demanding of all golfing techniques to truly test players’ proficiency.
North Carolina’s famed Pinehurst is set to be the permanent location for this respected tournament, with planned recurring competitions. Future tournaments have already been scheduled for 2029, 2035, 2041, and 2047. Given the brisk and solid conditions anticipated for the forthcoming week, can Pinehurst No. 2 garner a place amongst the top five difficult US Open venues?
It remains to be seen. However, historically, the most demanding tests in this championship’s extensive history have taken place elsewhere. This includes Winged Foot, Oakmont, Shinnecock Hills, Pebble Beach, and Merion.
Winged Foot, situated in Mamaroneck, New York, has proven its toughness more than other hosting courses. Hale Irwin’s notable triumph came in 1974 with earnings of 287, resulting in a “Massacre at Winged Cut,” with the cut being set at plus-13. When Geoff Ogilvy reigned supreme in 2006, it was witnessed with a total of 285. As Justin Thomas continues, “It’s the hardest course I’ve ever played,” reflecting on his experience. The upcoming match here is set for 2028.
Oakmont Country Club, located just outside Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, confidently claims to provide the “ultimate examination”. This bragging is substantiated by past experiences. In 2007, Angel Cabrera’s victory came with a total of 285, giving him a single shot lead ahead of Tiger Woods and Jim Furyk. That high score has been unmatched since. Remarkably, in those four days, only eight rounds went under par. The club is next on the championship roster for 2025.
The details about Shinnecock Hills are absent from the text provided.
Southampton’s Shinnecock Hills, situated in Long Island, New York, boasts a daunting reputation as seen in previous challenging tournaments. There are vivid memories of the 2018 championship, where Brooks Koepka emerged victorious with a total score of 281, beating Tommy Fleetwood by a hair’s breadth. The 2004 championship, won by Retief Goosen, is particularly memorable due to its brutal difficulty level. The U.S. Golf Association greenkeepers pushed the greens to the brink, forcing the players to struggle with their puttings and causing the greenstaff to occasionally water between groups. The tournament culminated in a staggering final round average score of 78.7. The location is set to host the next championship in 2026.
Turning our attention to California’s Monterey Peninsula, the much-admired Pebble Beach Links is critically acclaimed for its unmatched clifftop positioning over the Pacific ocean. During the 2000 championship, Tiger Woods dramatically outclassed his rivals with a score of 271, contrasting sharply with Ernie Els and Miguel Angel Jimenez, who fell 15 shots behind him. The championship is also remembered for Jack Nicklaus’s triumph in 1972 where he scored a high aggregate total of 290, a lofty score that has since remained unchallenged. The average score in the final round was affected by hectic ocean winds leading to an average score of 78.8. The championship is scheduled to return to this venue in 2027.
Lastly, the Merion Golf Club, located outside Pennsylvania’s Philadelphia, is notable for its distinctive wicker baskets replacing the traditional flags on the posts. This club is also the stage for the Ben Hogan tee shot, captured just a year and a half after his nearly fatal car accident. His winning shot allowed him to triumph over George Fazio and Lloyd Mangrum after achieving a seven-over-par score of 287 after 72 holes. When David Graham tasted victory with a seven-under-par score of 273 in 1981, concerns rose about Merion’s ability to keep up with technological advancements in golf. However, through strategic land acquisition and Gil Hanse’s design contribution, the championship returned to the Merion Golf Club in 2013 where Justin Rose won with a one-over total of 281. The championship will go back to Merion in 2030.