U.S. Open Host Club: A History
- While Rory McIlroy's driver has garnered attention, his TaylorMade P760 2-iron is also notable as he considers using it instead of a 5-wood at Oakmont, where accuracy is...
- Driving irons are typically favored during the summer, especially at the U.S.
- This trend was also observed at the PGA Championship, where higher-lofted woods were used to extract the ball from the wet rough at Quail Hollow.
At the U.S. Open at Oakmont, witness a shift in player strategy as pros trade driving irons for high-lofted woods; the primary_keyword here is “U.S.Open.” This year, the undulating fairways demand greater precision, influencing club selection. Explore why players like Rory McIlroy are considering a driving iron and how the course conditions favor 7- and 9-woods. Justin Thomas has also made adjustments, changing driver shafts to reduce spin. Discover how these secondary_keyword gear choices and course dynamics impact the game. News Directory 3 provides key insights into the evolving strategies at this year’s tournament. Discover what’s next in the world of professional golf.
This Club Is a U.S. Open Staple at Oakmont
Updated June 11, 2025
While Rory McIlroy’s driver has garnered attention, his TaylorMade P760 2-iron is also notable as he considers using it instead of a 5-wood at Oakmont, where accuracy is crucial. McIlroy is among the few players experimenting with a driving iron this week.
Driving irons are typically favored during the summer, especially at the U.S. Open and Open Championship, due to firm conditions and increased roll. Though, at Oakmont, more players are opting for 7- and 9-woods as of the undulating fairways and thick rough.
This trend was also observed at the PGA Championship, where higher-lofted woods were used to extract the ball from the wet rough at Quail Hollow. Kellen Watson of Callaway mentioned that Si Woo Kim sought a 4-iron replacement for rough shots and chose a Callaway Elyte 9-wood with a Ventus Black 10-X shaft.
Johnny Wunder/GOLF
Watson stated that the 9-wood provides more ball speed and peak height, resulting in similar carry to a 4-iron and a viable option for rough shots.
Other pros expected to use a 9-wood this week include Taylor Pendrith, Erik van Rooyen, Dustin Johnson, Adam Scott, Zac Blair, and Tommy Fleetwood, who uses one regularly. Typically, fewer than ten 9-wood users are on the PGA Tour, but this week, there could be as many as 20.
The increase in high-lofted woods is also driven by off-the-tee usage.Oakmont’s bending fairways necessitate clubs with more spin to minimize rollout. Modern fairway woods have improved to the point where pros can control ball height and flight from the tee.
Justin Thomas switches driver shafts
Justin Thomas gained attention in april for his improved putting and a three-year winless streak broken at the RBC Heritage, along with his blacked-out Mitsubishi prototype shaft.
However, a missed cut and a T31 finish at the Memorial led Thomas to seek changes. This week, he has switched shaft profiles and manufacturers.
Johnny Wunder/GOLF
According to JJ Van Wezenbeeck, Titleist’s senior director of player promotions, Thomas sought lower spin due to increased speeds. He switched from a 10.0 GT2 head in the D1 setting to a 9.0 head in the D4 setting and a Fujikura 2024 Ventus Black Velocore+ 6-X shaft.
What’s next
The U.S. Open will reveal whether the shift towards high-lofted woods and Justin Thomas’s driver shaft change will impact player performance and strategy at Oakmont.