In a stirring echo of his iconic 1973 performance at Oakmont, Johnny Miller has stirred the pot at this year’s U.S. Open, taking aim—albeit subtly—at Bryson DeChambeau’s bomb-and-gouge approach in a challenging vintage fashion.
Miller’s Classic Commentary
In a fresh Golf Digest piece titled “U.S. Open 2025: Johnny Miller throws shade at Bryson DeChambeau in vintage return to Oakmont,” Miller harkens back to his Sunday 63 at Oakmont, the lowest round in major championship history. But it was his modern-day jab that caught attention: Miller emphasized that raw power alone won’t conquer this meticulously restored, tree-cleared layout—making a pointed contrast with DeChambeau’s style .
Oakmont’s Brutal Revival
The course has been stripped of roughly 15,000 trees over the past three decades, returning it to a wide-open, strategic design .
While long hitters like DeChambeau have thrived on power-centric tracks, Oakmont demands precision, control, and short-game genius—traits Miller celebrated in his assessment.
Hitting Back: DeChambeau’s Struggles
The defending champion, Bryson DeChambeau, failed to make the cut at this U.S. Open—becoming one of several big names undone by the punishing layout .
Miller’s subtle critique—emphasizing finesse over length—resonates given DeChambeau’s rough-heavy woes and early exit.
Miller’s perspective isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a bold statement: the heritage style of strategic shot-making still rules.
His commentary reinforces Oakmont’s reputation as a course where precision trumps power—a philosophy that shaped his own legendary round in 1973.
Johnny Miller’s return to Oakmont has a higher purpose than reliving history—it’s a reminder of a winning mindset. With Bryson DeChambeau’s failure to advance, Miller’s shade lands with purpose: in all his brilliance, brute strength alone doesn’t win majors here.
Oakmont’s revival underscores a timeless truth: masters of precision, not just power, reign supreme.
