9 big names missing the 125th US Open
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With Oakmont looking more brutal than it ever has, perhaps these big names missing the US Open will be relieved…
The stage is just about set for the 125th US Open at Oakmont and it promises to be a feast of golf as the best players in the world battle it out for glory at one of America’s most iconic venues.
However, there are a host of big names who won’t be teeing it up in Pennsylvania this week.
Whether through a lack of form or an injury, every year some stars of the game miss out on the biggest events, and the 2025 US Open is no different.
Here are some of the star names who won’t be in action at the third men’s major of the season…
9 big names missing the US Open
Tiger Woods
First up, three-time US Open champion Woods. There are no surprises here, of course, as Woods’ recent injury woes are well known by now. The 49-year-old underwent surgery in March after rupturing his Achilles and is expected to miss all four of the year’s majors as a result.
Rickie Fowler
After seemingly rediscovering something like his best game in 2023 following a lengthy dip, Fowler is once again searching for form. A win at the Rocket Mortgage Classic two years ago took him back into the world’s top 25, but since then, he has slowly dropped down the rankings.
He came agonisingly close to earning a spot in the US Open at final qualifying but missed out in a five-man play-off.
Max Homa
The tale of Homa is familiar to that of Fowler’s. A feature in the world’s top 10 as recently as a year ago, the Californian now finds himself on the precipice of falling outside the top 100. He too played final qualifying but three-putted his 36th hole of the day to drop into the play-off with Fowler and also missed out on the one spot that was up for grabs.
Sergio Garcia
Now hovering well down the rankings after his move to LIV Golf, Garcia’s place in majors outside of the Masters is constantly in doubt. The Spaniard played in final qualifying at Bent Tree and was well placed after an opening 6-under 65.
In the end, it came down to his 36th hole of the day. The 45-year-old needed a birdie to make it but three-putted to miss out on the play-off, bringing an end to his run of 25 consecutive US Open appearances.
Billy Horschel
Horschel is another big name that will not be in the field at Oakmont. The American enjoyed a stellar major campaign in 2024, finishing in a tie for eighth at the PGA Championship and in a tie for second at The Open, but he has been struck down by injury this year.
He had “very successful” surgery on a hip issue in May but is still not back playing golf and will miss the US Open for just the second time in the last 13 editions.
Alex Noren
Swede Noren has been flirting with rediscovering his best form of late following his own injury setback at the start of the year. The 42-year-old spent a few months on the sidelines after tearing a tendon in his hamstring but returned armed with a fresh perspective and booked himself a spot alongside Scottie Scheffler in Sunday’s final group at the PGA Championship.
It didn’t go his way at Quail Hollow, however, and he also fell three shots shy at US Open final qualifying.
Nicolai Hojgaard
There will be a Hojgaard twin at Oakmont, but it won’t be Nicolai. The Dane has struggled for form in 2025, registering just one top-10 finish and missing the cut five times from 11 events. He teed it up in final qualifying at Emerald Dunes in Florida but his 8-under final score was two shots shy of the number required for the play-off.
Will Zalatoris
When will Zalatoris catch a break? The 28-year-old has been plagued by injuries over the last few years and underwent another surgery on his back in May after an MRI showed he had “re-herniated two discs.” He missed the cut at the Masters and PGA Championship and won’t return in time for the US Open or The Open.
Luke Clanton
Luke Clanton, the former amateur World No.1 who has been tipped for big things, made the cut on his US Open debut at Pinehurst in 2024 but won’t be at Oakmont after posting a 2-over total at final qualifying to miss out by eight shots.
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There are several big names missing the US Open at Oakmont.
