Michael Kim reacts to Oakmont’s punishing rough ahead of US Open 2025: “Will have to get used to swinging harder”

The 2025 US Open, the third major tournament of the year, is at hand, and PGA Tour star Michael Kim is getting ready to tee off in it. Ahead of the tournament’s first round, he shared his honest thoughts on the rough at Oakmont, saying that it will require him to swing harder than usual.

This year, Kim has made 17 starts on the PGA Tour and has had six top-20 finishes. He is yet to claim his first Tour victory of the year, but came close to winning the 2025 WM Phoenix Open. He fell short and landed at T2, seven strokes behind the winner.

The Seoul-born golfer touched down at Oakmont Country Club for the 2025 US Open on Monday, June 9. After he settled in, he practiced on the course’s front nine. Afterwards, he shared a thread on X, detailing his thoughts on the course’s setup.

Michael Kim wrote:

“So the rough isn’t stupid long. Memorial had overall longer rough, even imo. BUT, it’s way, way thicker here. Like, there’s more grass per square inch here. Multiple times, the lie looked so, so, and I’d hit a shot, and the club would be grabbed like it was a terrible lie. Will have to get used to swinging harder than normal from this rough around the greens.”

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Kim also noted that the thickness of the rough had a slight advantage because it gives the ball a lie to “sit up a bit.” On the other hand, he pointed out that the greens are “fast but not crazy fast on a flat putt.”

The 31-year-old golfer revealed that when he arrived at Oakmont, he was given a duffel bag as a tee gift. He also wrote that Oakmont’s clubhouse and locker room are “old school” but “cool old school.”

Michael Kim calls Ryan Fox’s pace of play “aspirational”

The 2025 RBC Canadian Open was held from June 5 to 8, and New Zealand golfer Ryan Fox won the tournament. After 72 holes at TPC Toronto, Fox was tied for the lead with Sam Burns, who also scored 18-under 262. The two golfers headed into a playoff, and Fox claimed the title, marking his second PGA Tour victory.

Following the event’s conclusion, Michael Kim shared a tweet on X that read:

“Ryan Fox’s pace of play is aspirational 😂”

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Notably, Michael Kim was absent from the field at the 2025 RBC Canadian Open. He withdrew from the tournament ahead of the first round, opting to rest in preparation for the US Open.

Before the RBC Canadian Open, Kim competed in the Memorial Tournament. Although he made the cut, he performed sub-par and carded 8-over 296. He finished at T44, tied with Justin Rose and three other golfers.

About the author

Sarah Rishama Madaki is a dedicated Golf Writer at Sportskeeda with a passion for bringing fresh perspectives to the world of sports journalism. With five years of professional experience as a content writer and strategist, she has worked with global brands across diverse industries, including stints at Soot Africa, TWU, Ink Different Hub, and Attrock.

A devoted fan of golf, Sarah stays updated on the sport through platforms like ESPN, SS Golf, and esteemed publications such as Golf Digest and Golf.com. She combines her knowledge of the game with an ability to understand audience preferences, crafting stories that resonate deeply with readers.

Sarah credits Tiger Woods as her inspiration for entering the world of golf. His resilience, innovative contributions to the game, and achievements motivate her to push boundaries in her career.

Beyond golf, Sarah is an avid NFL enthusiast cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs, a fiction novel lover, and a budding gardener. She aspires to one day cover historic events like The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, bringing fans closer to the heart of the action.

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Edited by Samya Majumdar