Mickelson set for ‘hardest’ US Open

Phil Mickelson believes the upcoming US Open at Oakmont will be the ultimate test on the “hardest golf course” he has ever played.

The world’s best will be heading to Pennsylvania next week for the second major of the year and one that usually gives players sleepless nights.

The USGA traditionally choose to set up the host course to be as tough as possible and birdies are at a premium during the four days of action.

A score over par is often good enough to win the prestigious event, with narrow fairways and lightning fast greens the hallmark of the event.

Last year’s foray to Chambers Bay was criticised by many players as the greens were deemed not good enough for a major championship, with Jordan Spieth somehow managing to finish on -5 as he walked away with the title.

The tournament is back at a more traditional venue this year but one that, according to ‘Lefty’, will be no less tricky to negotiate.

“I played Oakmont the last two days. It truly is, I think, the hardest golf course we’ve ever played,” he told reporters ahead of this week’s FedEx St Jude Classic.

“It’s a very fair test, even though it’s hard. But a lot of golf courses, when they challenge you tee to green the way Oakmont does, it usually has a little bit of a reprieve on the greens.

“You really don’t at Oakmont. They’re some of the most undulating, fast, difficult greens to putt. It really is the hardest golf course I think we’ve played.”

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