Overview

• Scottie Scheffler holds +270 odds after winning three of his last four starts and intentionally rested to focus on Oakmont’s unique challenges.
• The course’s narrow fairways, towering rough and Stimp-rated greens have drawn warnings from players that patience and strategy will be critical.
• Rory McIlroy admitted to driver struggles and shot an 81 in a practice round, illustrating how punitive Oakmont can be for errant tee shots.
• Tiger Woods advised that the layout rewards longer hitters who can land precise short irons, and Adam Scott praised recent tweaks that added balance without easing difficulty.
• Thursday’s opening round airs live on USA Network, with NBC and Peacock providing live coverage of second through final rounds.