The US Open is set to be held at Oakmont this year, which means the best players will be facing the Church Pew Bunker.
It’s one of the most infamous sand traps in the world of golf.
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The Church Pew bunker is an intimidating sightCredit: Getty
Situated early in the round, the bunker is a potential round-ruiner if you end up stuck in it.
But it is also a challenge that the likes of Rory McIlroy will relish as we prepare for the third major of the year.
What is the Church Pew Bunker?
The Church Pew Bunker at Oakmont is a 100-yard long trap that sits between two holes.
It is to the left of the fairway on holes number three and four with the two playing in opposite directions.
At its widest, it’s 43 yards and is a fearsome object on the course which players will be desperate to avoid.
The bunker gets its name due to its unique arrangement.
The sand is broken up by ridges of grass that run straight across and are separated at equal distances, looking like church pews.
Over the years, they’ve made it significantly harder by deepening the ridges and adding more.
In 1935, there were only seven shallow bumps, but ahead of the 2025 US Open getting underway, there are 12.
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The Church Pew bunker is a true nightmareCredit: Getty
In some places, the bunker is around four feet deep, and the beams are three foot high.
Between each ridge there is roughly five yards of sand.
There is another similar style bunker on the 15th hole at Oakmont, but that is much smaller.
In terms of dealing with the feature, Oakmont’s Director of Instruction, Eric Johnson, thinks players should just accept they are going to lose out rather than try any heroics if they land in the bunker.
He said: “Surrender. That’s my best advice. Don’t be a hero. If you’re up against the lip, all you should do – all you really can do – is pitch the ball out sideways.
“If you get lucky, and you’ll need luck, maybe you have a shot to reach the green based on a very good lie with no obstruction from the pews.
“But if you try to create something that isn’t there, if you try to be a hero, you’re going to regret it – big time.”
The Church Pew trap is so fearsome that, ahead of the 2007 US Open, Tiger Woods refused to practice on it.
PGA star Shane Lowry reveals he once walked off Oakmont golf course after only 5 holesUS Open 2025: Date and how to follow
The 125th edition of the US Open will run from Thursday, June 12, to Sunday, June 15.
It is taking place at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania.
The action will get underway at around 1pm UK time on the opening two days but exact timings will follow.
talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2 will have live coverage of all the action.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
The event will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports Golf in the UK.
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