Tiger Woods had a warning to those competing at this year’s U.S. Open.
“There is no faking about Oakmont,” Woods said in a video he posted on Instagram. “The golf course is big, yes, but it’s just, there’s no way around it. You just have to hit the golf ball well, and it favors longer hitters, just because of the degrees, the complexes.”
The 125th U.S. Open, which tees off on Thursday, will take place at Oakmont Country Club in Pittsburgh.
Woods, who was certainly a long hitter but will not be competing in this year’s edition, won the U.S. Open three times, though none came at Oakmont.
He finished tied for second at the 2007 U.S. Open at Oakmont.
“It just helps so much to be coming with shorter iron, to be able to sock the ball,” Woods said. “It’s about missing the ball on correct spots … because if you don’t, it’s horrible!”
Woods continues to rehab his torn Achilles he suffered in March.
Scottie Scheffler, fresh off his PGA Championship win, is the heavy favorite to win.
Bryson DeChambeau, whose average driving distance of 331.9 yards leads both the PGA and LIV Golf, is a two-time U.S. Open champion and won the tournament last year at Pinehurst.
Oakmont could favor his game.
Many consider the course one of the hardest they’ll play.
This will be its 10th time hosting the U.S. Open, more than any other course.