The notoriously challenging Oakmont Country Club lived up to its fierce reputation during the opening rounds of the 2025 U.S. Open, as defending champion Bryson DeChambeau and a host of other major stars surprisingly missed the cut. The difficult conditions and punishing layout led to a high cut line, sending shockwaves through the field and ending the championship aspirations of many top players prematurely.
Just one year removed from his triumphant victory at the 2024 U.S. Open, Bryson DeChambeau found himself on the wrong side of the cut line, finishing at 10-over par for the tournament. His title defense unravelled during a difficult second round on Friday, where he carded a 77. Starting on the back nine, DeChambeau struggled early, with four bogeys in his first seven holes and a double bogey on the par-4 fifth. The back nine (his front nine) proved particularly brutal, contributing significantly to his high score. This marks only the third time in 11 U.S. Open appearances and the first time since 2017 that the two-time champion (2020, 2024) has failed to make the weekend.
The Grueling Oakmont Test Sets a High Cut
Often described as a “brute,” the Henry Fownes-designed Oakmont proved a formidable opponent. The scoring conditions were tough, exacerbated by a Friday rain shower that softened the greens but didn’t necessarily make scoring easy for everyone. While a few players managed to get under par – Sam Burns leads at 3-under, followed by JJ Spaun (-2) and Viktor Hovland (-1) – the majority of the field battled for pars, and bogeys were plentiful.
The cut line ultimately settled at 7-over par after fluctuating between +5 and +8 throughout Friday’s play, meaning any player finishing at +8 or higher did not advance to the weekend rounds. This high number underscored the difficulty of the course and the pressure faced by the world’s best golfers.
Notable Players Who Missed the Cut
Bryson DeChambeau headlines a significant list of prominent golfers, including several major champions and former U.S. Open winners, whose tournaments ended after 36 holes. Many succumbed to Oakmont’s demands, with some finishing just one or two strokes outside the +7 threshold.
Here are some of the most notable players who missed the cut:
Bryson DeChambeau (+10): The defending champion struggled significantly in his second round, ending his bid for a third U.S. Open title.
Phil Mickelson (+8): The six-time major champion and multiple U.S. Open runner-up missed the cut by a single stroke. In what could potentially be his final U.S. Open appearance (as his exemption expires next year), Mickelson’s round was derailed by double bogeys on holes 15 and 17. After his round, he reportedly made a quiet exit without speaking to the media.
Patrick Cantlay (+8): Finished just one shot outside the cut line. His tournament ended with a disappointing bogey on his final hole (the 18th) after finding a fairway bunker off the tee.
Cameron Smith (+8): The 2022 Open champion also finished one stroke shy of the cut, continuing a challenging major season.
Ludvig Åberg (+8): The young Swedish star, ranked highly in the world, finished one over the cut line after struggling in his second round.
Tommy Fleetwood (+9): Missed the cut by two strokes after a dramatic double bogey on his final hole (the par-4 ninth), which dropped him outside the required score.
Dustin Johnson (+10): The 2016 U.S. Open champion at Oakmont finished well over the cut line, continuing a recent trend of missed major cuts as he searches for his best form.
Gary Woodland (+10): Another former U.S. Open champion (2019) who was unable to navigate the Oakmont test this year.
Joaquín Niemann (+10): Despite success elsewhere this season, Niemann struggled with Oakmont’s tight fairways, hitting only a limited number over two rounds.
Justin Thomas (+12): The two-time major champion had a challenging week, finishing well outside the cut line. His struggles included a notable four-putt double bogey on the par-5 12th hole during Friday’s round, adding to a pattern of difficulty in recent major championships.
Justin Rose (+14): The 2013 U.S. Open champion had a difficult two days at Oakmont, finishing significantly over the cut line.
Shane Lowry (+17): The 2016 54-hole leader at Oakmont had a vastly different experience this year, finishing well down the leaderboard.
While many fell victim to the course, some stars like Rory McIlroy managed to battle through. Despite starting his second round with two double bogeys in three holes and flirting with elimination, McIlroy fought back with crucial late birdies, including a 30-foot putt on the difficult ninth hole and a close approach on the 18th, to finish at 6-over and safely make the weekend.
As the second round, which was suspended Friday evening due to lightning and resumed Saturday morning, officially concludes, the remaining field faces a stern test over the weekend at Oakmont Country Club.
How to Watch the 2025 U.S. Open
Tune in to catch the drama unfold from Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pennsylvania.
Dates: Thursday, June 12 – Sunday, June 15
Location: Oakmont Country Club (Oakmont, Pennsylvania)
TV Channels: NBC, USA Network (Check local listings for specific times)
Streaming: Peacock, usopen.com, USGA app, DirecTV, YouTube TV
