The 125th U.S. Open is underway at Oakmont Country Club, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. This iconic course, known for its challenging layout, has hosted the tournament ten times, with the most recent being in 2016. The event draws a global audience eager to witness the best golf has to offer.

The favorites include defending champion Bryson DeChambeau, who won last year’s close battle, Masters champion Rory McIlroy, and Scottie Scheffler, who recently secured the PGA Championship title. These top contenders are showing early promise, with Scheffler leading the pack after the first round.

Early rounds have already seen remarkable moments. DeChambeau, the defending champion, faced a setback on the sixth hole, landing in the rough after a 208-yard tee shot—an area players want to avoid at Oakmont’s notoriously tough course. Despite this, he recovered quickly, making a birdie on the fifth hole to get back to even par.

Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy had a mixed start but made a notable eagle on the 12th hole with a precise 7-foot putt that trickled in to bring him to within two shots of the lead, tied with J.J. Spaun.

Xander Schauffele also had a rough patch, dropping a shot after a difficult approach shot that landed 86 feet from the hole. However, he made a strong recovery, landing on the green with a shot from 13 feet out.

The early leaderboard is topped by J.J. Spaun, who is three under par after seven holes, showing excellent form thus far. Other players, such as Tom Kim, Shane Lowry, and Rory McIlroy, are also positioned competitively, making the tournament lively with potential for many twists.

Weather conditions are ideal, with mostly sunny skies and mild winds expected to favor players. The tournament is being televised on NBC, USA Network, and streamed on Peacock and other platforms, making it accessible for a broad audience.

The course’s difficulty was exemplified early on when Maxwell Moldovan, who went through 36-hole qualifying, eagled the first hole, demonstrating that even the toughest courses can produce surprising moments.

Spectators are eagerly following the action, with high school junior Mason Howell securing his spot among the elite, bringing excitement for the future of the sport. As the rounds progress, all eyes will be on the key contenders and rising stars making their mark at Oakmont.