The countdown is on! The 2025 U.S. Open is set to tee off in less than 24 hours at the illustrious Oakmont Country Club, renowned for its punishing layout. Known as one of the most challenging courses in the world, Oakmont demands not just skill but unwavering focus and mental fortitude from every player. As excitement builds, even golf legend Tiger Woods voiced his concerns about the impending trials awaiting the competitors.
“It’s about missing the ball on correct spots… because if you don’t, it’s horrible,” Woods remarked on Tuesday, highlighting the course’s notorious difficulty. However, amidst this cautionary note, Collin Morikawa stands ready and raring to embrace the challenge ahead.
This year, as Oakmont prepares to push the limits of the world’s best golfers, several players from the PGA Tour confronted a pivotal question: “Would you take even par at Oakmont this week?” The answers varied, with the likes of Sepp Straka, Patrick Cantlay, Keegan Bradley, Adam Scott, Viktor Hovland, Corey Conners, and Morikawa himself chiming in.
With so much on the line, most golfers concurred that settling for an even par would be a prudent strategy given the unforgiving nature of the course. Not Collin Morikawa, though! When directly asked about his strategy, the two-time major champion popped with a confident “Take my chances,” signaling his intent to test himself rather than accept a conservative approach.
Collin Morikawa Looks to Regain Form at U.S. Open
Morikawa is no stranger to high-pressure situations. Although he clinched three top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour this year, his last victory came at the 2023 ZOZO Championship. Since then, his form has been a topic of debate among enthusiasts and analysts alike. Heading into his seventh U.S. Open, one might expect a player to find rhythm and confidence before such a major tournament, yet Morikawa is looking to rewrite his narrative.
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It hasn’t been an easy road for him. His mood dipped at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, where he let a win slip away and watched Russell Henley claim the trophy instead. Since that disappointment, Morikawa’s performances have been inconsistent, with a tie for 14th at the Masters juxtaposed with struggles that saw him finish outside the top 50 at both the RBC Heritage and the PGA Championship. Yet, confidence is a tricky thing—it can elevate you or bring you crashing down. Clearly, Morikawa is brimming with self-belief, but that has drawn mixed reactions from fans.
Fans Gave Morikawa a Reality Check
As Morikawa’s confident response circulated online, social media users wasted no time weighing in. Responses ranged from supportive to skeptical, with one fan bluntly stating, “And… Morikawa misses the cut.” Others piled on, saying, “Morikawa stupid a** isn’t even going to make the cut lol. And he was the only cocky answer in here.” The lighter side of social media shone through, as many accompanied their remarks with GIFs poking fun at Morikawa’s optimism.
“Tough to make the cut,” commented another user, providing a sobering reminder of the extremely high stakes that come with competing at Oakmont.
As we approach the U.S. Open, the golf world holds its breath. Will Collin Morikawa’s confidence propel him forward, or will Oakmont’s challenging layout teach him—and his fellow competitors—a lesson about humility? Only time will tell as they prepare to face one of the ultimate tests in golf!
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