The legendary Oakmont Country Club, host of the 2025 U.S. Open, has become a symbol of anger and discontent this week. Several golfers have spoken out against what they describe as unfair-even dangerous-playing conditions. Defending championBryson DeChambeau didn’t hold back:
“That’s baked beyond belief… it’s burnt,” he said after losing his ball in the thick rough on hole 6. He even called hole 11 “a disaster.”
During the official practice round, tensions boiled over. According to journalist Pete Pappas, DeChambeau was seen yelling at volunteers over the slow pace of play. At one point, he demanded the USGA be called to clarify when it was safe to proceed.
Ben Griffin added his voice to the complaints, warning that “you’re going to have to hit fairways this week.” With fairways barely 18 yards wide, even the smallest mistake leads players into some of the nastiest rough in golf. Swedish standout Ludvig Åberg put it bluntly: “Oakmont is one of the hardest places in the world.”
USGA under fire for poor course management
In an effort to manage the brutal rough, the USGA brought in 20 to 30 lawn mowers to cut it down to a playable-though still punishing-level. But according to Phil Mickelson, “They’re not working. They’re not cutting.” The intention was to bury the ball deeper into the turf to increase the challenge, but it has only added to the players’ frustration.
This strategy, perceived by many as a cover-up, has reignited criticism that the USGA prioritizes drama and spectacle over fair competition.
Fan chaos: “I didn’t feel safe at all”
It wasn’t just the players who were unhappy. Spectators also faced serious challenges. The only functioning bridge allowing access to the main course became dangerously overcrowded, leading to massive bottlenecks. “I got stuck in a huge crowd-I didn’t feel safe at all,” one fan posted on social media.
Despite having three bridges on-site, the USGA reportedly closed one, creating wait times of up to 40 minutes just to cross. “The current fan experience at Oakmont is horrible,” another attendee remarked.
To make matters worse, many fans reported suffering sunburns due to long exposure under direct sunlight with no available shade or proper protection-yet another logistical failure that has intensified public outrage.
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