U.S. Open hole by hole: Players will enjoy the scenic view on No. 9 at Oakmont but not the hazards
From the pristine fairways and lightning-fast greens to the punishing bunkers and club-twisting rough, Oakmont Country Club is one of the toughest tests for even the world’s best golfers, who will descend upon Western Pennsylvania for the 125th U.S. Open from June 12-15.
TribLive is producing a hole-by-hole look at what makes Oakmont Country Club one of the most popular and anticipated stops for the USGA.
Hole 9 breakdown
Length: 472 yards, Par 4
Handicap: 2
2016 U.S. Open stroke average: 4.43
Description
One of the most picturesque holes on the course at Oakmont Country Club, No. 9 leads toward the historic clubhouse where the lengthy covered porch overlooks the ninth green.
A rare remaining group of Oak trees lines the putting surface, which is actually attached to the practice green and makes for a 23,000 square foot multi-level challenge. Players can enjoy a scenic walk up the ninth fairway, unless of course one of the many hazards has swallowed their golf ball. Then there will be little enjoyment.
No. 9 is the second-hardest hole on the course for a reason. It features a blind tee shot and steep uphill approach with a long ditch to left and bunkers along the right of the fairway. The hole plays as a par 5 for members but a par 4 during championships.
In the 2016 U.S. Open, there were 34 birdies on the ninth hole, as well as 167 bogeys and 28 double bogeys.
Memorable moment from U.S. Open
Arnold Palmer had a memorable showdown with Jack Nicklaus in the 1962 U.S. Open. Palmer held a three-shot lead over his longtime nemesis when he teed off from the ninth hole in the final round. Palmer ended up with a bogey on the ninth hole — at the time, a par 5 — shot a final-round 71 and went on to lose to Nicklaus in a playoff.
How the locals play it
Wes Lorish grew up playing at Oakmont Country Club and now spends his time caddying at the course when he’s not playing. The Marshall recruit who is wrapping up his senior year at Plum finished sixth last fall at the WPIAL Class 3A individual golf championship at Oakmont. He also was a PIAA runner-up as a junior. His best round at Oakmont is a 67 from the green tees.
“What I like to do is you can see two square chimneys on the roof (of the clubhouse). I like to aim at the far left one, and it puts you in the center of the fairway and sets you up for a perfect second shot.
“You really don’t want to miss left (on the approach) cause the green slopes from left to right and you want to make sure you have enough club ’cause there are some pretty deep bunkers you don’t want to be pitching out of.
“The farthest right pin kind of sits on its own tier, and anything right of the pin is in deep rough. You also want to avoid the dead elephant (mound) in the middle of the green.”
Around the U.S. Open
Spotlight
Brooks Koepka
A five-time major champion, Brooks Koepka has been a regular contender at the U.S. Open.
He won back-to-back U.S. Open titles in 2017 at Erin Hills and 2018 at Shinnecock Hills. He also was a runner-up in 2019 at Pebble Beach and tied for fourth in 2021 at Torrey Pines.
Last year, he tied for 26th after shooting 6-over-par at Pinehurst.
In addition to his two U.S. Open titles, he won the PGA championship in 2018, ’19 and ’23 and rose to a No. 1 Official World Golf Ranking.
The 35-year-old has 21 professional wins, including nine on the PGA Tour and five with LIV Golf.
He was an All-American at Florida State before he turned pro. He has been a member of the U.S. Ryder Cup teams four times and twice played in the Presidents Cup.
Koepka is the great nephew of Dick Groat, who helped the Pirates win two World Series at shortstop and was named the 1960 NL MVP.
By the numbers
1,385: People who have played a USGA championship at Oakmont
27: Number of people who have been under par in those events (2%)
17: Flagsticks that can be seen from the clubhouse, all but No. 16.
Quotable
“I feel very emotional. Maybe you cannot see, but I’m very, very emotional inside. Especially after all of the things that I went through. … I thought that I was going to fail, especially after being sitting without touching a club for a while. I’ve been working very, very hard, and I feel that all the hard work pays off and this is what I’m having right now.”
—Angel Cabrera, the 2007 U.S. Open champion at Oakmont, who spent 20 months in an Argentine prison after he was accused of making threats toward former partners. He won the Senior PGA Championship at Congressional on Sunday for his second senior major in a week.
Oakmont history
Here’s a look at courses that have hosted the most U.S. Open championships:
10 – Oakmont Country Club (1927, ’35, ’53, ’62, ’73, ’83, ’94, 2007, ’16, ’25)
7 – Baltusrol Golf Club, Springfield, N.J. (1903, ’15, ’36, ’54, ’67, ’80, ’93)
6 – Oakland Hills Country Club, Bloomfield Hills, Mich. (1924, ’37, ’51, ’61, ’85, ’96)
6 – Pebble Beach (Calif.) Golf Links (1972, ’82, ’92, 2000, ’10, ’19)
6 – Winged Foot Golf Club (West Course), Mamaroneck, N.Y. (1929, ’59, ’74, ’84, 2006, ’20)
If you missed it
No. 1: U.S. Open hole by hole: No. 1 at Oakmont among world’s toughest opening tests
No. 2: U.S. Open hole by hole: Sloping green among challenges on No. 2 at Oakmont
No. 3: U.S. Open hole by hole: Church Pews a landmark hazard on No. 3 at Oakmont Country Club
No. 4: U.S. Open hole by hole: Birdie opportunity within reach on No. 4 at Oakmont
No. 5: U.S. Open hole by hole: Aggressive play can be rewarded on No. 5 at Oakmont
No. 6: U.S. Open hole by hole: Danger lurks on, around No. 6 green at Oakmont
No. 7: U.S. Open hole by hole: Players will face mental test with club selection on No. 7 at Oakmont
Bill Hartlep is the TribLive sports editor. A Pittsburgh native and Point Park graduate, he joined the Trib in 2004, covering high school sports. He held various editing roles before assuming his current position in 2019. He can be reached at bhartlep@triblive.com.
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