What Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth both said about Oakmont in 2016 the last time it hosted the US Open

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Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth will be hoping to win the US Open at Oakmont next week.

The last time the US Open was held at Oakmont was way back in 2016, when Dustin Johnson ended the week victorious.

Nine years ago, Spieth finished in a tie for 37th after finishing at nine-over par for the week, while McIlroy missed the cut following rounds of 77 and 71.

And the golf course is expected to be even more difficult this year.

McIlroy endured a nightmarish practice round at Oakmont on Monday, with a triple-bogey on the second hole summing up his round.

The rough at Oakmont is apparently already at around six inches long, and that will cause the players all sorts of problems.

One thing’s for sure, the US Open will be a thrilling golf tournament to watch, with the best players in the world set for an incredibly difficult test at Oakmont.

What Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth said about Oakmont at the US Open in 2016

Whilst the US Open in 2016 was one to forget for McIlroy and Spieth, both players were clearly fans of the layout at Oakmont.

Nine years ago, McIlroy opened up on his thoughts on the golf course.

“It’s a great test of golf. Every shot you hit, you’re under pressure to hit a great shot because you can’t really miss it. You have to get the ball in play. You really need to put the ball on the fairway. That’s a huge premium. And if you get your ball on the fairway, you’ve just got to make sure that you leave yourself below the hole on the greens. And even in some cases, that may mean missing the green.

“For example, on the 1st hole, missing the green sort of long and left is never going to be a bad option. The 10th hole is sort of similar. So, yeah, two keys for, I think, everyone this week is get the ball on the fairway. And when you can do that, keep it below the hole with your approach shot.“

And then Spieth echoed a very similar sentiment.

He said, “I played 27 holes maybe six weeks ago. It was a very tough golf course — as everyone knows, it always plays that way — then, but it has definitely changed significantly since then.

“I played a full round yesterday, and I played nine holes today. It’s in just immaculate condition. I thought, with the wind yesterday, I would have signed probably for somewhere around 75, 76 and shaken everyone’s hand and said, I’m going to go back and have a beer after that round.

“But today, with less wind, I thought that it was more playable. Still extremely challenging, where par is a great score, but I thought, if you hit the ball where you were looking, you could have birdie opportunities on quite a few holes.

“But at the same time, again, like I said, six weeks ago, I said I’d sign for even par. I don’t think anyone’s going to be in the red come 72 holes. So it will be a challenge, but I’m certainly looking forward to it.“

Could the 2025 US Open be the toughest test yet?

The way that things are shaping up, Oakmont could be the most difficult challenge ever presented to the players at the US Open.

Here’s the past nine winning scores at the Henry Fownes-designed gem.

If the greens are as quick as they’re rumoured to be, and the rough is as thick as some players are saying it is, over par could well win the golf tournament next week.

And McIlroy and Spieth will both need to be on top form, if they are to have any chance of winning the US Open at Oakmont.