The BWD Major Tournament Hole of the Day: June 17, 2016. The 12th at Oakmont CC, Home of the U.S. Open Championship

Tournament: U.S. Open Championship – Oakmont Country Club, Oakmont, PA
Hole: 12th – Par 5, 632/667 Yards
Architect(s): Henry Fownes – 1903

Architectural Summary:

The 12th hole, the second and final par 5, is Oakmont’s longest hole at 667 yards. Typically requiring three shots to the green, the hole can be further stretched by using the back tee of the 10th hole. The teeing ground chosen by the USGA will influence competitor’s strategy: some players may attempt to reach the green in two if playing from a more forward tee, but many will look to hit a draw with a 3-wood off the tee to hold the left-to-right sloping fairway, which is surrounded by nine bunkers. Competitors will often use long irons for their second shots in an attempt to set up wedge approaches to the severely sloped green. The ideal layup will carry a cross bunker located 150 yards from the green, but remain in the narrow, 25-yards-wide fairway. Any competitors finding the rough will have a difficult time holding the long narrow green which slopes from front-right to back-left. Unlike most par 5s for elite level golfers, the 12th will be a difficult hole for participants to reach in regulation this week.

Statistical Analysis:

During the 2007 U.S. Open Championship, the 12th hole played to a scoring average of 5.41. The hole was the 7th most difficult hole for competitors as 46.6% of the field hit the fairway and only 43.6% reached the green in regulation.

Fun Facts:

  • The 12th hole is one of four greens (1, 3, 10 and 12) that pitch away from the fairway at Oakmont.
  • Oakmont hosts its 9th U.S. Open this year, which is more than any other course. In addition to the U.S. Open, the course has also hosted 3 PGA Championships, 2 U.S. Women’s Opens, 5 U.S. Amateurs, and 3 NCAA Men’s Golf Championships.
  • Only 19 players have finished the U.S. Open under par during the course’s 8 previous championships. Three of Oakmont’s eight U.S. Open have ended with no players under par, including the 107th playing in 2007. In 2007, the average score for the field was 75.72.