Jordan Spieth has delivered a ringing endorsement of the US Open design at Oakmont Nation Membership, praising its unforgiving format as a real check of pure golf.
Talking throughout early observe rounds in drizzly circumstances, the threetime main champion mentioned the setup “rewards a great shot” and leaves no room for slack – an method he believes is crucial for golf’s hardest main.
On Sunday, Spieth arrived early and tackled 11 holes beneath regular rain. Oakmont, soaked from heavy showers, examined each talent in his arsenal. “This course is constructed to be like this,” Spieth mentioned. “You hit a great shot, you get rewarded for it. And in case you do not, you are in huge hassle.”
He acknowledged that whereas harsh, the circumstances amplify the purity of the problem: the format permits gamers to “run it as much as the inexperienced,” however penalizes any mistake harshly.
Situations meant that Spieth‘s ball usually hugged the green earlier than bursting into dense tough simply inches off it. Regardless of the moist grass, Spieth was undeterred: he birdied the par4 seventeenth following a powerful 50yard chip and was 2 beneath by means of Sunday’s play.
Borrowing a singular observe approach, his caddie pitched a collection of balls right into a bunker to imitate realround chaos, underscoring Spieth’s consideration to preparation.
Oakmont’s brutal honesty shapes championship
Spieth praised Oakmont’s inexperienced speeds as among the many quickest in golf, describing them as a key differentiator.
“It magnifies when you make a mistake in case you do not play the best shot,” he added. “It is not like making a mistake is the tip of the world. It may cost you half a shot. You simply must take what it provides you.”
He additionally highlighted Oakmont‘s historical past as a brutal proving floor, a theme echoed by previous champions like Shane Lowry and Adam Scott. Spieth says the course retrieves excellence however punishes overconfidence – making psychological resilience as very important as bodily talent.
With the US Open’s repute constructed on equity, he praised the USGA‘s minimal intervention method: “no humorous enterprise about it.”
Heading into this main along with his new child son behind him, Spieth appears targeted and relaxed. His early efficiency at Oakmont suggests he is already dialed into the strict check that awaits.
As rain clouds linger, Spieth‘s readiness for Oakmont’s relentless problem has turn into clear: his recreation seems completely aligned with the US Open‘s uncompromising spirit.
Followers can count on a deep battle because the opening spherical looms-one the place any deviation from precision will probably be ruthlessly uncovered. Spieth’s early type, mixed along with his embrace of Oakmont’s grit, indicators he is able to contend as soon as extra at golf’s most demanding stage.