Sean Zak

2 days ago | golf.com | Dylan Dethier |Sean Zak

OAKMONT, Pa. — You could only wonder what was kicking around Tyrrell Hatton’s head as he made the lonely walk from U.S. Open scoring. He had just played one of the toughest rounds of golf in his life, he’d finished tied for fourth and he showed it in his slow, plodding strut. Hatton stared at the ground ahead of him for each of the 50 steps to the interview area. What was he thinking? What did he want to say about his day? What was there to say, anyway?

3 days ago | golf.com | Sean Zak

OAKMONT, Pa. — A funny conversation broke out at the back of the driving range Saturday afternoon. Talker No. 1 was a numbers-inclined swing coach. Talker No. 2 was a golf statistician. They riddled their way through the 36-hole data report. What was Oakmont rewarding most? Distance? Accuracy? What was Si Woo Kim doing so well to hang around? It’s possible Si Woo didn’t even know himself. How about Sam Burns? Are guys clubbing down more than normal? Does the rough accentuate or equalize skill?

5 days ago | golf.com | Sean Zak

OAKMONT, Pa. — At 8:30 Friday morning, the driving range was empty. Everyone from the first wave of the second day of the U.S. Open was either on the course or about to be. Except for one pro, Shane Lowry, working with his coach on the ground strokes, a full five hours before his tee time. Why? Because putting will drive a man insane. But it can also drive you up the leaderboard. While Lowry grinded, Sam Burns was on the course, hooping a 21-footer for birdie on 11.

6 days ago | golf.com | Sean Zak

OAKMONT, Pa. — Welcome to the U.S. Open, where golf gets cranked to 11 and the scores don’t make sense. Shane Lowry needed a hole-out eagle to break 80. Thriston Lawrence made double bogey on 9, and said it gave him confidence. Bob MacIntyre played level par, and what did he call it? One of the 10 best rounds of his career. And MacIntyre’s choice adjective for J.J. Spaun’s pace-setting 66? “Unbelievable.”The faces and voices in charge of U.S. Opens have a new mantra these days: get all 15 clubs dirty.

1 week ago | golf.com | Sean Zak

OAKMONT, Pa. — Just learning about Oakmont this week? That course that everyone seems to think is the toughest in the world? You’re not alone. In fact, a lot of players in the field are playing it for the first time. And if it isn’t their first time, it’s their first time after the recent renovations Gil Hanse made to the venerated club. So, what is everyone learning? We’ve compiled a notebook dump of those lessons below. Enjoy! 1.