Pittsburgh, PA — June 14, 2025 — As the 125th U.S. Open tees off at the historic Oakmont Country Club this week, one of golf’s most legendary voices is making headlines—despite not playing. Tiger Woods, a three-time U.S. Open champion, may still be sidelined due to an Achilles injury, but his words about the daunting Oakmont layout are resonating with fans and players alike.
In a recent Instagram video, Woods reflected on the infamous course where he nearly clinched victory in 2007, finishing tied for second behind Ángel Cabrera. With sharp insight and unmistakable experience, Tiger made it clear: “There’s no faking it at Oakmont.”
“You just have to hit the golf ball well there,” Woods explained. “The golf course is big, yes, but there’s no way around it. You have to execute. And it favors longer hitters—because if you’re coming in with a shorter iron, it helps stop the ball on those tough greens. Miss in the wrong spot? It’s an automatic bogey.”
Woods also emphasized that Oakmont’s layout punishes even the slightest missteps—echoing the sentiment of many pros who consider it the toughest test in golf. With its narrow fairways, punishing rough, and fast greens, Oakmont is designed not just to challenge skill, but to expose weakness.
“It’s about missing the ball in the right places,” Tiger added. “If you don’t, it’s horrible.”
Though he won’t be competing this week, Woods’ perspective adds weight to the growing anticipation. With players like Scottie Scheffler riding high from a recent PGA Championship win, and Bryson DeChambeau bringing his explosive power to a course that may suit his strengths, the stage is set for a grueling showdown.
This year marks Oakmont’s 10th time hosting the U.S. Open—more than any other venue. And as fans gear up for what promises to be another drama-filled tournament, Tiger’s message lingers: excellence is the only option.