Oakmont Country Club has stolen the headlines at the US Open, with the majority of the field massively struggling on the Pennsylvania course.
Only four players are under par heading into the final round of the US Open, which has returned to Oakmont for the first time since 2016.
Dustin Johnson was the last winner at the iconic venue, with Jack Nicklaus and Ernie Els among its other victors.
But Oakmont is different this year, and even the world’s best players have been struggling to get to grips with its unique challenges.
An argument can, however, be made that it has gone too far in certain areas as the remaining field prepares for the final round.
Oakmont has messed up in three key areas for the US Open
PGA Tour and LIV Golf players alike have been frustrated by the course, with the former’s Sam Burns top of the pile with one round left.
But it is only Burns, Adam Scott, J.J. Spaun and Viktor Hovland who are on a positive score heading into Sunday.
Many golf fans may want to see such a difficult test given that it’s a US Open at Oakmont, but it has become abundantly clear that a handful of mistakes have been made.
Oakmont makes big mistake by cutting its trees
Oakmont’s trees have had a rollercoaster journey over the years, with the course having started out as an inland links.
But members carried out an aggressive tree planting programme after criticism in 1953, culminating in the 1994 US Open being played out on a densely tree-lined course.
READ MORE: Veteran caddies on the PGA Tour agree over whether Oakmont is harder this year or in 2007 or 2016
It has since been largely returned to its original state, with Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer having been against Oakmont cutting its trees.
Scottie Scheffler is also against it, which incidentally has helped create many very similar holes this week.
‘Pretty brutal’ rough is the only real US Open test at Oakmont
Another very common theme throughout the entire course is the long rough, which is quite simply too long for the most part.
Creativity should have been relied upon to adopt other defences in a bid to make the course that bit more difficult.
Tyrrell Hatton labelled the Oakmont rough ‘pretty brutal’, although the LIV Golf star has dealt with the issue pretty well as he sits T6 after three rounds.
It is, however, the only real test in Pennsylvania this week, with many balls often disappearing into the thick grass upon impact.
Oakmont’s eighth hole falls well short of iconic par threes
Oakmont’s length has also come under close analysis this week, and that includes the 289-yard par three eighth.
Bryson DeChambeau treated fans to a practice round on the hole, in which he used a three wood to tee off.
Oakmont staff have clearly attempted to create some magic around the eighth, but they haven’t quite managed that this week.
In stark contrast, Golden Bell at Augusta National – its shortest par three – has become one of the most iconic in all of golf, not least because of the daunting presence of Rae’s Creek.
And the Island Green on the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass has almost become equally iconic over the years, helping make many unforgettable memories for players and fans alike.
The addition of water to the par-three eighth at Oakmont undoubtedly would have provided a more interesting test than simply adding length.
Whether or not the powers that be make any changes to the course following this week’s event remains to be seen, with Oakmont once again set to host the US Open in 2033.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
