Everyone expected Oakmont Country Club to be a brutal test at this year’s U.S. Open, but Denny McCarthy has put into words just how draining the challenge has been so far.
The cut line alone tells the story, with top names like Justin Thomas and Dustin Johnson among the big names heading home early.
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Oakmont has lived up to its reputation over the first two rounds. The thick rough, slick greens, and punishing layout have made scoring difficult across the board.
McCarthy has battled his way to the weekend at four over par and remains in the mix heading into Saturday.
But while he’s pleased to make it through, McCarthy admitted the toll the course is taking on players is obvious.
Denny McCarthy shares how players are finding the U.S. Open at Oakmont
Sitting at four over, McCarthy still believes he has a chance given how tough scoring has been. One or two good rounds could make all the difference.
But according to McCarthy, the field looks and feels battered heading into the weekend.
“Not a ton. Obviously they’re really sloped undulated greens, but there hasn’t been a ton of talk,” McCarthy said.
“It’s just kind of the common theme; everyone seems like they’re exhausted when they come in off the course just because it’s a punch in the face. Even if you’ve played okay and grind it out and shoot a couple under to a couple over, it’s still just a grind. It just takes a lot out of you.”
Over par could once again win the U.S. Open
Jon Rahm predicted earlier in the week that a score above par could be enough to win — and he might be proven right.
There are a handful of players below par, but Oakmont’s margin for error is razor-thin. One bad hole can undo hours of steady golf.
Back in 2007, Ángel Cabrera won the U.S. Open at Oakmont with a total of five over par. While it may not get quite that high this time, another over-par winning score is certainly in play.
Players like Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, and Jon Rahm will back themselves to hang tough over the weekend.
If the weather stays dry, it could simply come down to who can handle the grind best — and maybe get a lucky bounce or two along the way.
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