Oakmont, consistently ranked among America’s premier golf courses, will host the 125th US Open.
This year’s championship features a groundbreaking par-three eighth hole, stretching a record-breaking 301 yards in major championship history.
Players like Collin Morikawa (“ridiculous”) and Viktor Hovland (“silly”) have voiced their opinions. The question remains: is the eighth a strategic masterstroke or a mere gimmick?
John Bodenhamer, USGA’s chief championships officer, envisions a comprehensive challenge, urging players to utilize “every club – all 15 of them,” at a course renowned for its demanding nature.
The eighth hole’s exceptional length has been a topic of discussion for over seven decades. It first reached 300 yards in 2007 when Angel Cabrera triumphed, capitalizing on a crucial birdie at the hole.
Even in 1953, its 253-yard length exceeded the average PGA Tour drive of that era. Today, with the average drive at 300.9 yards, the hole’s length surpasses modern driving distances.
In 2016’s final round, the hole played at 299 yards—exceeding the length of the par-four 17th in round three. While par remains numerically significant, the psychological impact is substantial, as 2006 US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy observes.
Ogilvy highlights the mental aspect, noting the difference between approaching a par five and a par three with a shorter club. The pressure to avoid high scores on a par three influences club selection, potentially overriding ego.
Officially listed at 289 yards, adjustments to the tee box and pin placement will extend the hole to its unprecedented length.
Jack Nicklaus, a past Oakmont champion, jokingly remarked about the hole’s extended yardage. Similarly, Paul Goydos humorously suggested a combined longest drive and nearest-the-pin competition.
Min Woo Lee’s social media post highlighted the discrepancy between the listed par three and the hole’s apparent length, sparking online debate.
Collin Morikawa’s practice round driver usage highlighted the extreme challenge. Xander Schauffele countered that a driver is indeed a suitable club. Viktor Hovland referred to using long clubs on a par three as ‘silly’.
Scottie Scheffler and others, however, remain focused on executing their strategy regardless of club choice. Schauffele emphasizes strategic scoring, even acknowledging potential ego bruises. Ludvig Aberg expresses a preference for challenging long par threes.
Justin Thomas expressed reservations about the hole’s design, questioning the architectural merit of such a long par three.
The hole’s design has been refined by Gil Hanse, who enlarged the ‘Sahara’ bunker and altered the greenside rough, increasing the difficulty.
In 2016, the eighth ranked as the eighth hardest hole, with a low birdie count and high average score. Its historical difficulty is evident in its performance in past US Opens.
Johnny Miller’s legendary 1973 round included a bogey on this hole, despite his overall exceptional performance and nine birdies.
Oakmont’s eighth hole is anticipated to dominate the list of the tournament’s most challenging holes.
Holes from the 2023 US Open at Los Angeles Country Club will likely join it in the top rankings, highlighting the exceptional challenge of long par threes in major championships.
Historical comparisons reveal the eighth’s unique challenge; it stands apart from comparable holes in other major championships.
The shortest par three in a major, conversely, played at a mere 81 yards.
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