Bettis, Roethlisberger Get Preview Of Oakmont Golf Course Ahead Of U.S. Open
OAKMONT (KDKA) -- Local golf fans can't wait for the U.S. Open to return to Oakmont this summer.
The week-long celebration will be chock full of events.
It's called the toughest test in golf, and it doesn't get any tougher than Oakmont Country Club, which is set to host its ninth U.S. Open Championship in June.
The USGA was in town on Monday to show off the course.
Executive Director Mike Davis is excited to bring the Open back to Oakmont. He said it is one of the few courses in the world that could host the Open with a few days' notice.
That's the kind of respect the golfing world has for the location, which features lightning fast greens, deep rough, and one of the best layouts around.
Don't expect any low numbers this year, unless it rains that week.
From our standpoint, contrary to what a lot of people think, I don't think anybody from our side gets overly upset if somebody shots a low score. And if we do something with the set up that compromises this great golf course where you say, now, all the sudden, great shots weren't being rewarded, that's what keeps you up at night," said Davis. "But we can't control Mother Nature, and it's an outdoor sport."
- MORE HEADLINES: Tiger Woods Files Paperwork To Play In 2016 US Open At Oakmont
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Speaking of tough, Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Famer Jerome Bettis and Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger joined some of the media for the preview of Oakmont. Bettis shot 82, and can't wait to see what happens June 16-19.
"This course is incredible tough. The difficult part is when you step on the first tee, it's beautiful as a course, but it's devilish," said Bettis. "So once you get on the greens, the challenge really begins. For someone to shoot under par on this golf course for four days in a row, I think that would be a tremendous accomplishment. I don't see the scores being that high. This is an incredible test of golf."
Meanwhile, Roethlisberger said he beat Bettis out there on Monday, but still walked off the course knowing what the pro golfers are in store for in two months.
"I think it depends on what they do with the rough. The greens today, they were very firm. They weren't real fast to putt, but they were very firm and it was hard to hold shots," said Ben Roethlisberger. "So, I don't know, it think it depends on if the USGA wants the plus to win or if they want the low scores. They can do whatever they want out here, it's pretty dangerous."
The U.S. Open is the most complete test of golf, and that's exactly what they will get in June.
