The course is steeped in history and has always been touted as one of the toughest tests for any Tour. Angel Cabrera won the 2007 U.S. Men’s Open at Oakmont with 5-over par 285, and players are predicting a similar winning score this week. While the rough seems shorter than in previous championships, the greens are slick, rolling close to 14 on the stimp meter. The surfaces are firm, requiring extra precision on approach shots and a superb touch around the greens. The bunkering at Oakmont will be another factor this week.
The tough conditions around the greens have some players tinkering with their clubs. Defending Champion Eun-Hee Ji put new wedges in her bag, hoping for additional spin with the fresh grooves, while Rolex Rankings No. 1 Cristie Kerr is adding a gap wedge to her arsenal this week.
Here are some of the notable holes for the players to negotiate. The short, uphill second hole will see tee markers moved up to make it a 250-yard reachable par-4. The par-3 8th will stretch to 252 yards, the longest par-3 in U.S. Women’s Open history. The ninth hole, which played as a long par 4 for the 2007 U.S. Men’s Open, will play as a 477-yard par-5 for the women. The par-5 12th will play a lengthy 602 yards, the longest par-5 in U.S. Women’s Open history. The par-4 17th hole will measure a mere 245 yards.
Whoever wins this week with join an illustrious group of players to win a USGA Championship at Oakmont. Here is a list of all past winners.
U.S. Women’s Open
1992 - Patty Sheehan
U.S. Men’s Open
1927 - Tommy Armour
1935 - Sam Parks
1953 - Ben Hogan
1962 - Jack Nicklaus
1973 - Johnny Miller
1983 - Larry Nelson
1994 - Ernie Els
2007 - Angel Cabrera
U.S. Men’s Amateur
1919 - S. David Herron
1925 - Bobby Jones
1938 - Willie Turnesa
1969 - Steve Melnyk
2003 - Nick Flanagan
PGA Championship
1922 - Gene Sarazen
1951 - Sam Snead
1978 - John Mahaffey
Topics: Press Release, US Women's Open
