Frustration at the US Open

This past weekend, many golfers expressed considerable frustration at the US Open held at the Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania. Shane Lowry notably vented his anger, exclaiming “F–This Place” after a disappointing putt. Despite some late charges for a major win on Sunday, only three players managed to finish the final round at par.

Xander Schauffele was one of those three, finishing the tournament at +6, taking 12th place. The conditions were tough right from the start, but Schauffele, a two-time major champion, remarked that the course felt “very fair.”

“Everyone had to play the same course,” Schauffele told an interviewer recently. He acknowledged that there was a bit of a “strange break” during the weekend that affected golfers, but added, “You don’t have to hit it in a bunker or rough. You can hit it on a fairway.” He reflected on how the rain made conditions slightly easier, contributing to more generous fairways and greens. “You had to golf very well. That’s what you should do to win the US Open,” he said, noting JJ’s strong performance out of the rain delay.

Looking ahead, Schauffele will compete alongside several major champions at the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut, this weekend. The previous winning scores were quite impressive, ranging from -22 to -13, which starkly contrasts the US Open’s scores.

Having won the Travelers in 2022, Schauffele recognizes that while everyone aims to score low, having a mix of challenges like those at Oakmont creates a healthy balance in the sport. “I’ve never been far from the US Open challenges, and if you played in those severe conditions week after week, you’d wear yourself out,” he noted.

This year’s Travelers Championship presents what Schauffele describes as a “strange” season, with notable events including the Open and the FedEx Cup. He observed, “They definitely did some things to make the TPC River Highlands more challenging. The rough used to be tougher, and while some holes have become more difficult, good shots will be rewarded, though there’s water on many holes.”

Yet, this is a stark contrast to the intense competition in western Pennsylvania. Schauffele commented, “It’s strange how you can make seven or eight birdies in a round at Oakmont.”