US Open release incredible video of army of lawnmowers to tackle rough as stars brand conditions ‘unplayable’
EVEN the world’s best players are going to struggle to get out of the rough as the US Open tees off at Oakmont this week.
The PGA Tour‘s top hitters will battle it out around the Pennsylvania course starting this Thursday – and a video of the thick rough being tamed by greenkeepers has shown just how tricky it will be.
An army of Oakmont Country Club greenkeeper armed with lawnmowers have been wading through the rough to try and make things slightly earier.
But the conditions still appear to be about as tough as it gets, with players aware they will need to do everything they can to keep the ball on the fairway in the year’s third major.
Videos circulating on social media show that a ball dropped from knee height into the rough is almost completely lost in the thick stuff.
While players have voiced their concerns for just how difficult it will be to play in the conditions this week.
Tyrrell Hatton shared a video of a practice round that showed him struggling to even see his ball in the long grass.
And the world number 24 had to give it his all just to be able to knock the ball back onto the fairway with a wedge in hand.
Two-time US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau told his YouTube channel: “This course doesn’t just challenge your game, it challenges your sanity.”
Adding: “This is the hardest this golf course could ever play right now.”
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While three-time major champion Jordan Spieth said: “This course is built to be like this.
“So they’re not doing a whole lot different to the golf course.
“You hit a good shot, you get rewarded for it here. And if you don’t, you’re in big trouble. It’s pure golf, no funny business about it.”
Jhonattan Vegas, who finished T5 at the PGA Championship last month, even branded the rough as “unplayable”.
The USGA have been criticised in recent years for making the US Open courses too hard, but some fans enjoy seeing the top pros battle to make par – seeing it as more familiar to their own game.
The rough on Oakmont stands at 5 INCHES tall, with the course trimmed to ensure that is uniform throughout all 18 holes.
The course crew have detailed that they even mow the grass in a specific way to ensure it doesn’t lay over itself and allow the ball to rest on top – making the rough is as punishing as possible.
All 156 players will take swing at trying to beat the course when the action gets underway on Thursday.
World number one Scottie Scheffler remains the favourite to lift the trophy after he earned his third major title at the PGA Championship in North Carolina last month.
While DeChambeau, Rory McIlroy, John Rahm and Ludvig Aberg are all amongst the top contenders for the title too.