OAKMONT, Pa. — George Duangmanee experienced the unforgiving nature of Oakmont Country Club during his second round. A cruel moment on the 15th hole saw his ball lip out, denying him a bogey and highlighting the difficulty of the course on a day his performance faltered.
Competing in his debut U.S. Open, Duangmanee recorded his fourth double bogey on the extended par-4 15th. Earlier, on the fourth hole, difficulties around the green resulted in a triple bogey, contributing to an unexpectedly high score of 47 on the front nine.
A score approaching 40 on nine holes is poor at this level, but one nearing 50 is exceptionally rare – almost unheard of. This challenging standard, however, is typical of Oakmont. The course is notorious for humbling even skilled players, designed specifically to test their limits. Notably, three of the four highest single-round scores in the U.S. Open over the past two decades occurred at this venue.
Despite its difficulty, the U.S. Open is characterized by its inclusivity, a point often emphasized by USGA CEO Mike Whan. The tournament is open to anyone who qualifies, offering a chance for players from diverse backgrounds – including young amateurs, club professionals, or a hopeful 23-year-old pro from Virginia like Duangmanee – to compete alongside golf`s elite.
Duangmanee became a professional golfer in 2024 after finishing his studies at UVA. He first played on the PGA Tour at the Myrtle Beach Classic in May 2025, where he successfully made the cut by posting two rounds under par, ultimately finishing the event at 5 over.
For a player with only conditional status on PGA Tour Americas, earned through qualifying, this performance reaffirmed his potential. However, participating in the U.S. Open presented a significantly greater challenge.
Duangmanee remarked, “I feel like this was the biggest stage of golf I`ve ever played on.”
To even reach Oakmont`s fairways, Duangmanee had arguably delivered two of the finest rounds of his career. He secured his spot by shooting 68 and 67 at the U.S. Open qualifier in Springfield, Ohio, on June 2, a site where many other professionals failed to advance.
This juxtaposition perfectly captures the essence of the sport: shooting 5 under par to qualify for the U.S. Open, only to face the prospect of an 86 on Thursday and a score potentially nearing 90 the following day.
Duangmanee commented, “I knew it would be a difficult test, but I didn`t anticipate it being *this* difficult.”
An visibly weary Duangmanee seemed taken aback when informed reporters wished to speak with him. He had just endured a grueling five-hour battle with the course, resulting in a decisive defeat. Yet, his perspective remained remarkably positive.
Despite the challenging day, Duangmanee stated, “I`m genuinely positive about the experience and the confidence it can build. While it`s somewhat intimidating being among players I see on TV weekly, I`m focused on learning from them – observing their practice routines, warm-ups, and overall approach. I`m watching how the world`s best operate, and I plan to apply those lessons moving forward.”
Between holes on the back nine, Duangmanee took moments to relax. He chatted with his playing partner, Austen Truslow, hydrated, and ate a snack. Although his golf game was struggling severely, he maintained a positive mindset.
He explained, “My goal for today was simply to enjoy being out there. After my first round, I knew making the cut was unlikely, so I focused on soaking in the experience, staying positive, and not letting disappointment get to me. I just kept playing and was grateful for the opportunity.”
Moments of frustration were evident. On the 17th, failing to advance the ball from the thick fescue towards the green caused him to lower his head in disappointment. His subsequent shot from the rough was similarly poor. Despite this, Duangmanee persevered, meticulously following his routine for each shot. While Oakmont caused many players, even top professionals, to struggle and effectively withdraw, Duangmanee chose to battle through.
His drive on the 18th, an erratic shot typical of his struggles with the driver that day, found a fairway bunker, setting the stage for his finishing sequence. He extracted the ball from the bunker, leaving a challenging wedge shot that went long past the flag. The resulting downhill putt for par missed widely.
The opportunity to play in the U.S. Open was a family event, bringing Duangmanee`s parents, brother (a UVA golf team junior), grandfather, girlfriend, and other relatives to Pittsburgh to support him. His score was secondary to their presence.
On a humid Pittsburgh afternoon, with the stands around the 18th green largely empty compared to the crowds expected later in the week, Duangmanee prepared for his bogey putt. The distance was approximately 6 feet 7 inches.
He examined the putt with intense concentration, as if his tournament fate depended on it, and successfully holed it.
Walking towards his caddie, Duangmanee allowed himself a smile. His final score of 89 was tied for the second-highest single-round score at the U.S. Open in the last two decades.
Duangmanee reflected, “Simply qualifying to be here was a significant achievement for me. It validates that my dedication and practice are yielding results. Competing alongside the world`s top players is truly where I aspire to be.”
Although Oakmont may have defeated Duangmanee with a score of +35 relative to par, he isn`t leaving immediately. Having invested considerable effort to reach this point, he is not ready to depart just yet.
He concluded, “I definitely plan to take at least three or four days off to simply enjoy the time with my family. I believe I`ll remain here; we`re already present, and it *is* the U.S. Open.”
