Latest news with #122ndU.S.OpenChampionship
Newsweek
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
LIV Golf: 5 Players with Best Chance at US Open from Oakmont
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Since the emergence of LIV Golf, the major championships have had the added benefit of featuring stars from both sides in the same venue. Another opportunity will arise at the 2025 US Open, which will take place this week at Oakmont Country Club. As a group, LIV Golf players don't have a stellar record in major championships, however, that does not mean some of their players are not contenders for the title. In fact, the Saudi-backed league has several players to watch closely in the third major of the season. 5 LIV Golfers with Best Chance at US Open 1. Bryson DeChambeau The defending US Open champion has been on a remarkable run since last season. Although he has only won twice, his results have been stellar, especially in major championships. DeChambeau has finished in the top six in five of the six majors played between 2024 and 2025 thus far. This includes one win and two second-place finishes. In the two instances where he finished outside the top two (the 2024 and 2025 Masters Tournaments), he was among the top contenders until the end. As if that weren't enough, DeChambeau has had another excellent season at LIV Golf. During this time, he returned to the winner's circle, which he had not done since 2023. His results include seven top-20 finishes in as many tournaments, including five top-10s, with one victory (Korea) and one second-place finish as his best results. Bryson DeChambeau of the United States plays his shot from the eighth tee during round one of the 122nd U.S. Open Championship at The Country Club on June 16, 2022 in Brookline, Massachusetts. Bryson DeChambeau of the United States plays his shot from the eighth tee during round one of the 122nd U.S. Open Championship at The Country Club on June 16, 2022 in Brookline, Crushers GC captain performed well at Oakmont during the 2016 US Open. He finished tied for 15th place with a score of 5-over par. However, there is no doubt that his golf game has improved significantly since then. 2. Jon Rahm The Spaniard experienced a slump in major championships, but appears to have overcome it. In 2025, he achieved two top 15 finishes in this category of events, including a top 10 finish at the PGA Championship. His results on a league level are exceptional, although he has yet to win in 2025. Rahm has finished in the top 10 in every LIV event he has played in. The double major winner also had a good showing in the 2016 US Open, finishing tied for 23rd and earning the low amateur award. 3. Joaquin Niemann Joaquín Niemann just finished in the top 10 of the PGA Championship, his best result in a major championship. In his previous 23 appearances at this type of event, the best finish for the Chilean had been a tie for 16th place in the 2023 Masters Tournament. He has had a stellar performance at LIV, with five victories in the last two seasons, three of which have come in 2025. This makes him the hottest player in LIV Golf, as he leads the individual ranking ahead of DeChambeau and Rahm. ANOTHER ONE! 🏆 @b_dechambeau has won the 124th U.S. Open Championship! — U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 16, 2024 4. Tyrrell Hatton The Englishman played at an extraordinary level at the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025. During that time (September 2024 to April 2025), he won twice and finished in the top 10 another four times on the DP World Tour, earned a top 10 finish at LIV Golf, and finished in the top 15 at the Masters Tournament. His results have slipped since then, with only one top-10 finish in his last two league starts and a T60 finish at the PGA Championship. However, if he regains his form, he could be a serious contender for the title at Oakmont. 5. Brooks Koepka The five-time major champion has not been playing his best golf lately. He has only two top-10 finishes in seven league events, including a second-place finish, and he has missed two cuts in as many starts at major championships this season. Nevertheless, Brooks Koepka's extraordinary potential is beyond question, and Oakmont could certainly be the stage for his return to stellar form. More Golf: Rory McIlroy Posts Worst PGA Tour Finish of Career at Canadian Open
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Phil Mickelson Drops a Bomb on US Open at Oakmont Being His Last
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. For years, Phil Mickelson has chased the one major that would complete his Grand Slam. An exclusive circle that includes Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Gary Player, Ben Hogan, and Gene Sarazen. But after six runner-up finishes and decades of near misses, it looks like Lefty has convinced himself to let go. Mickelson had a disappointing show at the Masters, where he missed the cut, and another early exit at the PGA Championship. Now, with his U.S. Open exemption set to expire, the 54-year-old dropped a bombshell at LIV Golf Virginia. 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 "I haven't thought about it too much," Mickelson said when asked if he thought Oakmont might be his last U.S. Open. "There's a high likelihood that it will be, but I haven't really thought about it too much," he admitted, leaving room for speculation. This will be Lefty's 34th U.S. Open appearance— credit to his 5-year exemption earned from the 2021 PGA Championship win, where he became the oldest major champion at 50. But beyond 2025, his road back looks uncertain. LIV Golf offers only two qualification spots for the 2026 U.S. Open—one for topping the 2025 season standings and another for sitting in the top three by May 2026. If Mickelson wants another shot, he'd need a dominant LIV season, which, based on his recent performances, and his age, feels highly unlikely. Before his supposedly final show at the US Open, the 6-time major winner will be swinging clubs at LIV Golf Virginia, which mirrors Oakmont's conditions. And Phil wants to focus on that, treating it as an unofficial warm-up. "What I have thought about is how similar this week's course is set up to what we'll see next week," Mickelson explained. Phil Mickelson says there's a "high likelihood" that next week is his final U.S. Open. 👀 The U.S. Open is the last leg missing for him to complete the career grand slam. — Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) June 4, 2025 "We have greens that are rolling 14 to 15 on the Stimpmeter, just like we will next week. We have contours, undulations—just like we will next week. I think it's a great way to prepare for next week." He continued, "Short game, touch, chipping around the greens, rough, speed, lag drills, and touch on the greens—all that's critical here. Same thing as next week. It couldn't be a better spot to get ready." A look at Phil Mickelson's US Open heartbreaks The outspoken LIV Golfer's U.S. Open record is brutal. He's finished runner-up six times—including heartbreaks in 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2009, and 2013, but never hoisted the trophy. His first heartbreak came in 1999 at Pinehurst, where he lost to Payne Stewart by a single stroke. The moment became even more emotional when Stewart (Phil's ex-caddie) famously told him: "Good luck with the baby. There's nothing like being a father!" This came just before Stewart's tragic passing months later. Then came 2002 at Bethpage Black, where Mickelson finished three shots behind Tiger Woods, unable to close the gap on Sunday. FARMINGDALE, NY - JUNE 16: Phil Mickelson walks with his caddie during the final round of the 102nd US Open on the Black Course at Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, New York on June 16,... FARMINGDALE, NY - JUNE 16: Phil Mickelson walks with his caddie during the final round of the 102nd US Open on the Black Course at Bethpage State Park in Farmingdale, New York on June 16, 2002. (Photo By) More Getty Images Perhaps the most painful of all was 2006 at Winged Foot, where Mickelson needed a par on the final hole to win. Instead, he hit a driver off the tee, found the trees, and made a disastrous double-bogey, handing the victory to Geoff Ogilvy. Reflecting on the challenge years ago, Mickelson admitted just how much winning the U.S. Open meant to him: "I think that if I'm able to win the U.S. Open and complete the career Grand Slam, I think that's the sign of a complete, great player. I'm a leg away. And it's been a tough leg for me." Now, at 54, the coffee lover faces the reality that his U.S. Open exemption is expiring, and his chances in front of the World No. 1, who is currently fully charged, are slim. But if history has proven anything, it's that Lefty has never been one to back down from a fight. More Golf: Bryson DeChambeau Seen Playing Golf at 'TPC White House'
