As time ticks toward the kickoff of the 2025 U.S. Open, players are gearing up for Oakmont Country Club in what could be the toughest U.S. Open in recent memory. This comes after a viral video showed several groundskeepers mowing down the brutal, five-inch rough grass at Oakmont Country Club. Many players have reacted to this video, with some describing the rough grass as “unplayable.”
Groundskeepers in Last-Minute Move at Oakmont Country Club
In the viral video, dozens of groundskeepers wielding custom mowers can be seen slicing through the dense green. Venezuelan-born golfer Jhonattan Vegas posted the video on his official X account, arguing that the rough remained “unplayable,” even after the trimming.
“Good news guys, they are cutting the rough but, it’s still unplayable. Have fun 😳😳😳😳😳😳 #USOPEN2025,” his post read.
Good news guys, they are cutting the rough but, it’s still unplayable. Have fun 😳😳😳😳😳😳 #USOPEN2025 pic.twitter.com/BCV3FNZ6bH
— Jhonattan Vegas (@JhonattanVegas) June 9, 2025
Oakmont’s superintendent, Mike McCormick, explained the thinking behind the mower strategy. He said the team uses mowers specifically built to cut the grass high and keep it standing tall. This approach makes the ball sink into the roots, not rest on top. It also aims to make recovery shots tough or nearly impossible.
“We want it as penal as possible,” McCormick explained. “…a lot of people think we stop mowing the rough. That wouldn’t be farther from the truth.”
Players Respond To Viral Oakmont Rough Mowing Video
Players reacted shortly after the mowing video went viral. Bryson DeChambeau noted that the course could be the hardest golf course he has ever played and that it threatens both skill and sanity. Rory McIlroy also felt the brutal layout. He shot 81 in a practice round and said it was nearly impossible. He noted greens rolling faster than 15 on the Stimpmeter and pins set on steep slopes.
Keep Reading: Shane Lowry’s Humorous Take on Oakmont’s Challenges
Tyrrell Hatton needed full effort just to punch his ball back into play, and other stars, including Adam Scott and Dustin Johnson, all voiced their concerns after their first swings. However, Jordan Spieth believes the course punishes poor play and rewards accuracy. The 31-year-old supports the USGA’s goal of testing players to their limits.
McCormick revealed that players will have even less room for error this year on the venue’s notoriously tough rough. This is because the rough will go straight from fairway to full height with no gradual cut. That means a missed tee shot will land in thick, five-inch grass right away. Some areas may be a bit flatter from foot traffic, but it will be tough if a drive leaves the short grass. Instead of a gentle drop-off, the fringe jumps straight from fairway to full rough. With no transition zone, stray shots fall into a high-grass trap instantly.
Main Photo Credit: © Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
