Oakmont, Pennsylvania – Fate seemed harsh on the 15th hole when George Duangmanee`s ball flirted with the cup but refused to drop for a bogey. It was a moment that encapsulated how challenging Oakmont Country Club can be, especially on a day when his golf game wasn`t cooperating.
Competing in his inaugural U.S. Open, Duangmanee recorded his fourth double bogey on the lengthy par-4 15th. Earlier, on the fourth hole, he struggled mightily on the green, leading to a triple bogey and a staggering 47 on the front nine.
At this elite level, a score around 40 strokes for nine holes is unusually high. A score approaching 50 is almost unheard of, a statistical anomaly. But Oakmont is notorious for producing such numbers. This course, designed specifically to challenge and frustrate players, often humbles those hoping to perform well. Notably, three of the four highest single-round scores at the U.S. Open in the last two decades have occurred here.
However, the U.S. Open`s unique appeal lies in its open nature, as emphasized by USGA CEO Mike Whan. Anyone can attempt to qualify and compete alongside the world`s best golfers – be it a teenager, a dentist, or a 23-year-old from Fairfax, Virginia, like Duangmanee, pursuing a professional golf career.
Duangmanee turned pro in 2024 after graduating from the University of Virginia (UVA). He made his PGA Tour debut in May 2025 at the Myrtle Beach Classic, where he shot two rounds under par, made the cut, and finished the tournament at 5 over.
For a player with only conditional status on PGA Tour Americas, earned through qualifying school, this performance confirmed his potential. Yet, the U.S. Open presented a completely different challenge.
“This felt like the most significant golf stage I`ve ever played on,” Duangmanee commented.
Duangmanee earned his spot at Oakmont by playing what were arguably two of the best rounds of his life during the qualifying event at Springfield Country Club in Ohio on June 2nd, shooting 68-67.
It`s a stark illustration of golf`s nature: shoot 5 under par just to get into the U.S. Open, only to potentially face an 86 the first day and a score nearing 90 the next.
“I anticipated it being a tough test coming in,” Duangmanee admitted. “I just didn`t expect it to be this difficult.”
A visibly tired Duangmanee seemed taken aback when a USGA official informed him that reporters wished to speak with him. He had just endured over five grueling hours battling the course and had been decisively defeated. However, his perspective remained surprisingly positive.
“I feel genuinely positive about the experience and the confidence I can gain from it,” Duangmanee stated. “It`s a bit intimidating being around players you watch on TV every week, but I`m focused on learning from them – how they practice, warm up, everything. I`ve been observing how the world`s best handle themselves, and I`ll apply that moving forward.”
Between holes on the back nine, Duangmanee allowed himself moments to relax. He chatted with his playing partner, Austen Truslow, drank water, and ate a grape jelly Uncrustable. Despite his game being in rough shape, his demeanor didn`t falter.
“My goal for today was just to enjoy being out there,” Duangmanee explained. “I knew my chances of making the cut were slim after the first round, so I focused on appreciating the experience, keeping my spirits up, and not getting too down on myself. I just kept playing, happy to be here.”
Frustration was certainly present. When he couldn`t get his ball from the thick fescue grass onto the green on the 17th, he dropped his head in disappointment. His subsequent shot from the rough wasn`t much better, but Duangmanee persevered, maintaining his routine for every shot. On a day when Oakmont challenged and eliminated many players, including top professionals, Duangmanee chose to battle through.
His drive on the 18th, a wayward shot landing in a fairway bunker due to a driver that troubled him all day, set the stage for his final hole score. Duangmanee hit out of the bunker, leaving a challenging wedge shot that went long of the hole. His downhill putt for par sailed past the cup.
The opportunity to play in the U.S. Open had brought Duangmanee`s family to Pittsburgh as well. His parents, his brother (a junior on the UVA golf team), his grandfather, his girlfriend, and other relatives traveled to watch him compete, making his final score secondary to the experience.
“It means a great deal to have people who want to be here, watching me play and supporting me,” Duangmanee said.
On a humid Pittsburgh afternoon, with the 18th green grandstands mostly empty compared to what they would be in two days, Duangmanee addressed his bogey putt. He had a 6-foot, 7-inch putt remaining.
He studied the putt intently, as if the cut depended on it, and sank it.
As Duangmanee walked towards his caddie, a smile crossed his face. His final score of 89 was tied for the second-highest single-round score at a U.S. Open in the last 20 years.
“Simply reaching this point was a significant achievement for me,” Duangmanee reflected. “It validates my efforts and the hard work I`ve put into practice. Being able to compete alongside the world`s best is truly where I aspire to be.”
Although Oakmont sends Duangmanee home with a cumulative score of plus-35, he isn`t leaving immediately. He invested considerable effort to get here and isn`t ready to move on just yet.
“I`ll definitely take three or four days off to just relax and enjoy the time with my family,” he said. “I think I`ll stay around. We`re already here, and it`s the U.S. Open.”
