Tiger Woods Gives Stern U.S. Open Advice to Players at Oakmont

Newsweek

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When we talk about the U.S. Open, it has only 8 players who have won the title more than twice. The elite list also includes Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, who transformed the golf world with their dominance.
Woods secured his first U.S. Open win in 2000 and backed it up with two more in 2002 and 2008. This ultimately earned him a lifetime exemption to play at the major.
PINEHURST, NORTH CAROLINA - JUNE 11: Tiger Woods of the United States speaks to the media during a practice round prior to the U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort on June 11, 2024 in Pinehurst, North...
PINEHURST, NORTH CAROLINA - JUNE 11: Tiger Woods of the United States speaks to the media during a practice round prior to the U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort on June 11, 2024 in Pinehurst, North Carolina. (Photo by) More
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Unfortunately, this year, the 15-time major winner won't be teeing it up at Oakmont. His left Achilles injury has kept him out, forcing him to watch players from the outside.
Tiger Woods warns about the brutal US Open course
Okamont is already proving to be a monster. Players have openly voiced their struggles with its deep rough, lightning-fast greens, and merciless bunkers.
On Tuesday, Woods weighed in too: "There is no faking about Oakmont," he said, posting on Instagram.
"The golf course is big, yes, but it's just—there is no way around it," he added while shrugging his shoulders.
"You just have to hit the golf ball well, and it favor longer hitters, just because of the degrees, the complexes."
Big Cat advised, "It just helps so much to be coming with shorter iron, to be able to sock the ball."
"It's about missing the ball on correct spots... because if you don't, it's horrible!"
Woods' reference to "complexes" helping with short play ties back to Oakmont's tricky layout, he learned firsthand during the 2007 U.S. Open.
That year, Woods had a painful finish (+6), just one stroke behind Angel Cabrera, who won with a final score of 285.
Woods' rounds - 71, 74, 69, and 72 showcased the patience and precision needed to grind through the punishing course conditions.
His final round with a bogey at the 11th hole proved that even the best golfers in the world aren't spared by Oakmont's difficulty.
Players have echoed Woods' concerns on Oakmont
Several big PGA Tour and LIV Golf players have already admitted the brutality of the course.
After the RBC Canadian Open, Ludvig Aberg, preparing for his first U.S. Open, admitted, "Obviously, Oakmont is one of the hardest places in the world. It's going to be hard to simulate that."
Ben Griffin, who is having a breakout season with two wins and seven top-10 finishes, also gave fans a preview of the challenge awaiting them.
In his TikTok post, he dropped a ball into the rough, only to watch it vanish instantly. His video made it clear—the rough isn't just thick, it's wild!
Even Bryson DeChambeau, the defending champion, acknowledged Oakmont's treacherous conditions. His latest YouTube video captured just how unforgiving the setup is.
At the par-3 6th hole, he hit his tee shot over the green and into the thick rough, where his ball disappeared completely.
His cameraman struggled to find it. "That is cooked beyond belief," DeChambeau said.
"That's more than half-baked there. That's burnt to a crisp."
After weeks of complaints, Oakmont officials finally took action. In a crucial last-minute decision, they trimmed the rough, making slight adjustments to ensure players had a fighting chance.
The scene looked like a force of groundskeepers working tirelessly, ensuring the course was brutal, but fair for the world's best golfers come 12th June.
Here's a clip of the view, looking straight out of a movie:
Wait for the maintenance staff member at 23 seconds.
Shout out to those getting Oakmont in mint condition. pic.twitter.com/5Br8iFna3g — U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 9, 2025
What do you think about the course? Let us know in the comment section below!
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