US Open release incredible video of army of lawnmowers to tackle rough as stars brand conditions ‘unplayable'
EVEN the world's best players are going to struggle to get out of the rough as the US Open tees off at Oakmont this week.
The PGA Tour's top hitters will battle it out around the Pennsylvania course starting this Thursday - and a video of the thick rough being tamed by greenkeepers has shown just how tricky it will be.
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An army of greenkeepers took to US Open course Oakmont to tame the rough ahead of the tournament
Credit: X formerly Twitter / @usopengolf
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The staff mowed back the five-inch rough with precision
Credit: X formerly Twitter / @usopengolf
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Players have called the rough 'unplayable'
Credit: X formerly Twitter / @usopengolf
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Okamont is one of the hardest courses to play in America
Credit: X formerly Twitter / @usopengolf
An army of
But the conditions still appear to be about as tough as it gets, with players aware they will need to do everything they can to keep the ball on the fairway in the year's third major.
Videos circulating on social media show that a ball dropped from knee height into the rough is almost completely lost in the thick stuff.
While players have voiced their concerns for just how difficult it will be to play in the conditions this week.
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And the world number 24 had to give it his all just to be able to knock the ball back onto the fairway with a wedge in hand.
Two-time US Open champion
Adding: "This is the hardest this golf course could ever play right now.'
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Tyrrell Hatton showed just how hard it is to find your ball in the Oakmont rough
Credit: X @pingtour
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Hatton struggled to get the ball back onto the fairway
Credit: X @pingtour
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While three-time major champion
'So they're not doing a whole lot different to the golf course.
Jason Weaver is super proud as son Tyler qualifies for US Open alongside Rory McIlroy
"You hit a good shot, you get rewarded for it here. And if you don't, you're in big trouble. It's pure golf, no funny business about it.'
The USGA have been criticised in recent years for making the US Open courses too hard, but some fans enjoy seeing the top pros battle to make par - seeing it as more familiar to their own game.
The rough on Oakmont stands at
5 INCHES
tall, with the course trimmed to ensure that is uniform throughout all 18 holes.
The course crew have detailed that they even mow the grass in a specific way to ensure it doesn't lay over itself and allow the ball to rest on top - making the rough is as punishing as possible.
All 156 players will take swing at trying to beat the course when the action gets underway on Thursday.
World number one
While DeChambeau,
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Bryson DeChambeau explained how hard it it to play out of the Oakmont rough
Credit: Getty
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Jordan Spieth has spoken about the tricky conditions too
Credit: Reuters
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