The major championship where Tiger Woods said the greens were ‘without a doubt’ harder than Augusta National

Clearly, there are few golfers who know more about esteemed major championship courses than Woods. But there was one iconic US Open layout that the 15-time major winner could not master.

Woods’ only major championship appearance at Oakmont in Pennsylvania came during the 2007 US Open.

The world number one finished one shot back of Angel Cabrera at (six over) after failing to birdie the 72nd hole.

Oakmont, the host of the 2025 US Open, is known for its brutish set-up: thick rough, fast greens and firm fairways. Par is an extremely good score.

In the 2007 edition, Woods admitted the greens were the most challenging he’d ever faced—and even harder than Augusta National.

“Without a doubt [hardest greens he’s faced],” Woods said.

“You say Augusta is hard, yeah, but they have flat spots where they put the pins. Today they put a few of the pins on slopes, which made it a little more interesting. They could have- all they needed to do was go two feet off the slope in a flat spot, but they put them just on a slope.

“So all the putts had a little more break on them. Something you probably couldn’t see on TV, but if you go out there and take a look at them, you would say they are interesting pins and a heck of a challenge.”

The 2025 US Open promises to take the championship back to its traditional best. The 2024 event at Pinehurst was brilliant, but the challenge in North Carolina was unique. Pinehurst No.2’s defence was its turtle-backed greens and fierce run-off areas. Off the tee, the course was actually quite generous.

Oakmont, however, will test all aspects.

The Pennsylvania venue is challenging off the tee and will severely punish any shot that strays off-line. The pace of the greens also makes distance control extremely challenging. Whoever drives the ball well and avoids three-putts will stand an excellent chance of winning.

“It’s the most ridiculous hard golf course you’ll ever play,” said Golf Channel pundit Smylie Kaufman.

“The greens are insane. Some are too much, in my opinion, and the ones that aren’t too much. When I make my pick for this event, I’ll side with a guy who fades the golf ball because the greens that are too ridiculous tilt this way – right to left – so obviously, that favours a guy who can curve something into that slope.”