Shane Lowry’s Tumultuous History at Oakmont and His Hopes for the 2025 U.S. Open
Shane Lowry’s relationship with Oakmont began with a near walk-off. During a practice round at the notoriously difficult course, the Irishman only made it to the 14th hole before heading to the locker room, overwhelmed and uncertain. “I sat there thinking, ‘I have no idea how I’m going to play golf around this place,’” Lowry recalled.
Just five holes into his first real test at Oakmont, Lowry felt his U.S. Open hopes were already in jeopardy. But that gloomy start turned into an incredible run in the 2016 tournament. After three rounds, Lowry was leading the field with scores of 68, 70, and an impressive 65, giving him a commanding four-shot lead heading into the final round.
One surprising factor helped his rise to the top: rain. The opening round was heavily delayed by storms, softening Oakmont’s notoriously fast and punishing layout. That shift in conditions opened the door for scoring opportunities, and Lowry capitalized.
But when the course firmed up again on Sunday, the pressure and difficulty mounted. Playing with a major championship lead for the first time, Lowry struggled. He carded just one birdie alongside seven bogeys, finishing with a disappointing 76. Despite the collapse, he still tied for second, three shots behind winner Dustin Johnson.
Reflecting on the final round, a visibly heartbroken Lowry said, “It was there for the taking and I didn’t take it. The more I think about it, the more upset I get.”
His T2 finish at Oakmont in 2016 remains his best performance at a U.S. Open. Since then, he hasn’t placed higher than T19 in the tournament. As Oakmont prepares to host the 2025 U.S. Open once again, Lowry will be aiming to channel the highs of that memorable week—while hoping to avoid its painful ending.
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