Jordan Spieth has delivered a ringing endorsement of the US Open design at Oakmont Country Club, praising its unforgiving layout as a true test of pure golf.
Speaking during early practice rounds in drizzly conditions, the threetime major champion said the setup “rewards a good shot” and leaves no room for slack – an approach he believes is essential for golf’s toughest major.
On Sunday, Spieth arrived early and tackled 11 holes under steady rain. Oakmont, soaked from heavy showers, tested every skill in his arsenal. “This course is built to be like this,” Spieth said. “You hit a good shot, you get rewarded for it. And if you don’t, you’re in big trouble.”
He acknowledged that while harsh, the conditions amplify the purity of the challenge: the layout allows players to “run it up to the green,” but penalizes any mistake harshly.
Conditions meant that Spieth‘s ball often hugged the fairway before bursting into dense rough just inches off it. Despite the wet grass, Spieth was undeterred: he birdied the par4 17th following an impressive 50yard chip and was 2 under through Sunday’s play.
Borrowing a unique practice technique, his caddie pitched a series of balls into a bunker to mimic realround chaos, underscoring Spieth’s attention to preparation.
Oakmont’s brutal honesty shapes championship
Spieth praised Oakmont’s green speeds as among the fastest in golf, describing them as a key differentiator.
“It magnifies once you make a mistake if you don’t play the right shot,” he added. “It’s not like making a mistake is the end of the world. It might cost you half a shot. You just have to take what it gives you.”
He also highlighted Oakmont‘s history as a brutal proving ground, a theme echoed by past champions like Shane Lowry and Adam Scott. Spieth says the course retrieves excellence but punishes overconfidence – making mental resilience as vital as physical skill.
With the US Open’s reputation built on fairness, he praised the USGA‘s minimal intervention approach: “no funny business about it.”
Heading into this major with his newborn son behind him, Spieth seems focused and at ease. His early performance at Oakmont suggests he’s already dialed into the stern test that awaits.
As rain clouds linger, Spieth‘s readiness for Oakmont’s relentless challenge has become clear: his game appears perfectly aligned with the US Open‘s uncompromising spirit.
Fans can expect a deep battle as the opening round looms-one where any deviation from precision will be ruthlessly exposed. Spieth’s early form, combined with his embrace of Oakmont’s grit, signals he’s ready to contend once more at golf’s most demanding stage.
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