ZealousGolfer.com

Oakmont 2007 will be another U.S. Open where no one really wins, but one players will lose the least. No man on earth could match Johnny Miller's record shattering 63 at this course. Oakmont is a course which offers few rewards, but many punishments for errant shots. Geoff Ogilvy, champion of the 2006 U.S. Open at Winged Foot, fired a scary round of 85, highlighted by losing seven balls in Oakmont's high rough. Vijay Singh, who has won the Masters and PGA Championship, feels that the winning score could be as high as ten over par.

With that, ZealousGolfer.com will publish a viewer's guide of the holes which comprise arguably the world's most difficult golf course.

Hole 1:
Par 4 - 482 Yards
The first hole features numerous bunkers down the left side of the fairway, which all will be in reach. Oakmont has meticulously placed fairway bunkers almost touching the fairway itself, so the difference between disaster and salvation is minimal. Two more bunkers are placed near the left side of the green, but the rough could be nearly as deadly.
Hole 2:
Par 4 - 341 Yards
Number two is the shortest of the front nine par fours at Oakmont. However, six bunkers line the right side of the fairway, so if an unfortunate player finds himself in one of the deep fairway bunkers, he'll be chipping out. Try for the green? Think again. Three bunkers on the left side of the green, a giant bunker twisting around the green, and two more near the front right side.
Hole 3
Par 4 - 428 Yards
Hole three offers players their first shot at the Church Pew bunkers. These are the consecutive deep sand traps with small strips of turf and fescue to end great escapes. Pass these bunkers, and players may take a shot at a fairly simple green.
Hole 4
Par 5 - 628 Yards
If this course wasn't hard already, just throw in the longest par five in U.S. Open history. The Church Pews are in play on the left side of the fairway, but are complemented with more bunkers on the right side. This hole is out of reach in two, and even short approach shots will certainly challenge a multitude of deep bunkers surrounding all sides of the green.
Hole 5
Par 4 - 382 Yards
The tee shot will be onto a narrow fairway, which features a narrow landing area located between seven bunkers on the right and left side. Unless the approach shot if far off line, players will face a tough bunker shot onto a hard green from several very deep bunkers.
Hole 6
Par 3 - 192 Yards
This par three is relatively simple, but a pin position in the front right will require players to challenge a deep bunker in the front. The green tails out to the right side, so a pin position in the back right will require a tough, tight fade.