U.S. Open: 3 Biggest Storylines to Watch For at Oakmont
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The last few months saw some of the biggest headlines in golf history. In April, Rory McIlroy finally donned the green jacket. May belonged to Scottie Scheffler, securing the PGA Championship.
And now, we are just days away from the golf's third major - the U.S. Open from Oakmont Country Club.
LIV Golf's Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau and PGA Tour's Rory McIlroy Heading Towards US Open. (Image Collage | Credits: Getty Images)
LIV Golf's Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau and PGA Tour's Rory McIlroy Heading Towards US Open. (Image Collage | Credits: Getty Images)
Getty Images
Major weeks bring drama, thrill, and that undeniable feeling of butterflies in the stomach. But this one is shaping up to be wilder than most, with some jaw-dropping storylines from LIV Golf and the PGA Tour.
Here are the three biggest storylines we are keeping our eyes on.
3. Phil Mickelson's Final Chance at Grand Slam?
In 2022, Mickelson made a bold claim saying, "If I win the U.S. Open, I will retire."
The reasoning was simple—a victory would complete his career Grand Slam, solidifying his place among golf's elite list that includes only six names.
But Lefty's hopes seemed to have derailed in recent years. Before he impressed everyone with his LIV Golf Virginia performance, Mickelson hinted that this U.S. Open might be his last.
"There's a high likelihood that it will be [his last appearance], but I haven't really thought about it too much."
His five-year exemption from the 2021 PGA Championship win expires after Oakmont, and the timing of his admission? Not coincidental.
BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 17: Phil Mickelson of the United States acknowledges the crowd from the ninth green during the second round of the 122nd U.S. Open Championship at The Country Club on June 17,...
BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS - JUNE 17: Phil Mickelson of the United States acknowledges the crowd from the ninth green during the second round of the 122nd U.S. Open Championship at The Country Club on June 17, 2022 in Brookline, Massachusetts. (Photo by) More
Getty Images
At 50, he became the oldest major champion in history. But now, his body tells a different story. His candid assessment of his physical limitations suggests he's coming to terms with an inevitable transition.
Though Mickelson stunned everyone with his vintage shot on Sunday, Lefty has often talked about struggling to beat young players like Bryson DeChambeau, Scottie Scheffler and others. The irony is glaring, his best golf now demands more from him than his worst rounds ever did.
So, as Mickelson approaches what might be his final U.S. Open, the weight of the moment is bigger than golf. Every aging athlete faces the reality that the body eventually stops keeping up with ambition.
And Mickelson? His ability to accept it with grace might be his most admirable shot yet. As they say, Father Time is undefeated.
2. Rory McIlroy's Driver 'Concerns'
That perfect driver in your bag—the one that feels like an extension of your hands. You've played hundreds of rounds with it. The face shows battle scars. The sweet spot feels sweeter over time.
For most golfers, this evolution is a gift. For Rory McIlroy, it became a violation at the PGA Championship—forcing him to switch his driver just days before the tournament.
But here's the problem. His switch failed him spectacularly.
At the RBC Canadian Open, McIlroy's driver issues hit crisis mode. After missing his first cut since The Open in 2024, he admitted:
"Yeah, of course it concerns me. You don't want to shoot high scores like the one I did today."
CALEDON, ONTARIO - JUNE 05: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks off the 10th green during the first round of the RBC Canadian Open 2025 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley on June 05, 2025...
CALEDON, ONTARIO - JUNE 05: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks off the 10th green during the first round of the RBC Canadian Open 2025 at TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley on June 05, 2025 in Caledon, Ontario. (Photo by) More
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His 8-over 78 sealed the worst PGA Tour 36-hole finish of his career, featuring one quadruple bogey, one double, eight bogeys, and just five birdies.
The TaylorMade Qi35 driver, meant to solve his off-the-tee struggles, backfired completely.
"I went back to a 44-inch driver to get more control, but if I'm going to miss fairways, I'd rather have the ball speed and miss the fairway than not," McIlroy explained.
His stats painted an ugly picture—losing 2.233 strokes off the tee, hitting just 13 of 28 fairways, and carding a quadruple-bogey 8 on Friday's fifth hole.
Most telling? This was his second failed driver switch this year.
"This is the second time I've tried the new version, and it hasn't worked out for me."
With four days before Oakmont, McIlroy admitted: "I'd say I'll be testing quite a few drivers over the weekend."
And he needs to be fast because with Oakmont's brutal setup, any inconsistency off the tee could spell disaster.
1. Bryson DeChambeau Defends His U.S. Open Crown
While Scottie Scheffler was painting masterpieces with wind-bending iron shots, Bryson DeChambeau kept his stellar play in majors.
His T2 finish at the PGA Championship continued his excellent stretch of majors.
It started back in 2016, when he earned low amateur honors at the Masters, becoming a Rolex ambassador in the same week.
This year, he came close at Augusta, finishing solo second before tumbling on Sunday with a 74, settling for T7. At Quail Hollow, he was co-runner-up at the PGA Championship.
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 15: Bryson DeChambeau of the United States plays a shot from the ninth tee during the first round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 15,...
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 15: Bryson DeChambeau of the United States plays a shot from the ninth tee during the first round of the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow Country Club on May 15, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. More
Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Now, he heads to Oakmont—a big, brawny ballpark that fits his game perfectly. He's already won two U.S. Open titles, first at Winged Foot in 2020, then again at Pinehurst No. 2 in 2024.
And he's coming with new weapons—switching his irons to a custom-made LA Golf set, co-designed with Jeff Meyer.
Speaking on the Golf Digest Podcast, DeChambeau teased:
"We were hands-on, went through the whole process, testing, researching. You're going to see something special that no other OEM is doing."
Some might call his club overhaul risky, but if DeChambeau has proven anything, it's that he thrives in high-stakes moments.
Last year, he was hot on the heels of Scheffler, finishing second at the PGA Championship. At Augusta, he was one step away from his first Green Jacket—ultimately finishing fifth at the Masters.
With his aggressive style, bold equipment changes, and confidence, DeChambeau enters Oakmont with something bigger than momentum—he's hunting a three-time U.S. Open legacy.
Three Days Until the Battle Begins
Mickelson's potential farewell, McIlroy's fight to fix his driver, and DeChambeau's title defense, each storyline promises to shape the 125th U.S. Open in historic fashion.
Oakmont will test resilience, strategy, and the ability to survive the sport's most unforgiving conditions starting from June 12th.
More Golf: Scottie Scheffler Tweaks Tour Schedule with Major Ramifications
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Jon Rahm, who won his U.S. Open four years ago at Torrey Pines, made his debut at Oakmont in 2016 when he was fresh out of Arizona State. He shot 76 on the first day, went 1-over par the rest of the way and finished as low amateur. Even with changes to the course from a restoration project, including a ditch that now meanders across the landing area in the 10th fairway, the Spanish star has a better idea what to expect. 'You're aware of what a golf tournament here is going to be like. It's going to be a challenge,' Rahm said. 'A lot of unfortunate things are going to happen. It's hard fairways to hit, bad lies, difficult bunkers, difficult greens. It's going to be a nice test, a difficult test, and I think one of the truest representations of what a U.S. Open is all about.' Dustin Johnson set the Oakmont scoring record for a U.S. Open at 276 when he won in 2016. The USGA mentioned a few other numbers that also describe Oakmont, mainly the 5-inch rough so dense at the bottom there were no guarantees a golf ball might be lost. Another number had historical context — only 27 of the 1,385 players who have competed in a major championship at Oakmont finished under par. That includes when Oakmont, now a par 70, was played as a par 71 or par 72. 'Our mantra is tough but fair,' Bodenhamer said. 'And what does that mean? It's pretty simple. It's not about the score. It's about getting every club in a player's bag dirty, all 15 of them — the 14 in their bag and the one between the ears. And we work hard on that. 'And that's how we've gone about our business here at Oakmont.' The other number that stands out is 10 — the number of times the USGA has brought its marquee championship to the course built to be tough in 1903. No other course has held the U.S. Open more often. 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