What would an 18 handicap shoot at Oakmont? Pros weigh in, and their answers are hilarious
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Bryson plans to be fearless but strategic at Oakmont's tough setup
Bryson DeChambeau says he'll stay aggressive when possible but knows Oakmont demands smart decisions.
USGA
It's a questions that comes up almost every week during the professional golf calendar but is emphasized during the biggest events of the year: what could an amateur shoot at the hardest tests in golf?
Whether it's Augusta National or this week's 2025 U.S. Open site, Oakmont Country Club outside of Pittsburgh, it's a fun talking point when the majors come around. What's the best score an amateur could shoot? Could they break 100?
Oakmont is an especially stern tests, with greens running in the 14s on the stimpmeter and rough chopped at a hefty 5 inches. Forget the course is a par 70 that stretches to nearly 7,500 yards.
The DP World Tour posted to its social media accounts a video going around asking players what an 18 handicap would shoot at Oakmont. Bryson DeChambeau, Justin Thomas, Min Woo Lee and a host of others were asked, and in the nearly 3-minute video, players give their feedback on what would happen. In short, carnage.
Michael Kim responded to the tweet, saying a scratch golfer may not break 90. If that doesn't tell you how difficult the course is going to play, not sure what will.
Lucky for you, if you have an official GHIN handicap, the USGA has a course calculator that shows what you *should* shoot at a course with your specific handicap.
Then again, not every course is in U.S. Open conditions. And if the pros this week are going to struggle unlike we're used to seeing, just imagine what would happen to us average joes in a foursome.
Thomas chimed in on social media Tuesday afternoon, saying find a way to let a group of ams play the course the Monday after the U.S. Open. From the tips, full Rules of Golf and see what happens.
The consensus is an 18-handicapper would shoot well into the 100s. Even one par for an 18 handicapper would be an impressive accomplishment.
During his pre-tournament news conference Tuesday, Rory McIlroy said he birdied his final two holes during a practice round last Monday, June 2, and shot 81. The Masters winner and Grand Slam champion shooting in the 80s.
There would probably be a lot of volunteers who would play the course the Monday after a champion is crowned, myself included. But how many would actually finish or have enough golf balls to sign a card? Not many of us.
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