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Toughest Bunker Shot

From behind the second (par 4, 341 yards) green

Fear factor: From behind the green, one of Oakmont's wildest putting surfaces races away from back to front and right to left, making it all but impossible to stop the ball close from the sand.

How the pros should play it:"You need maximum height and a soft touch, so take the club back longer and slower than normal and add loft as you hit. Try to nip it for the extra spin. If you hit it fat, it will run a lot more. Don't get cute, as you'll wind up decelerating and leaving the ball short. Sometimes 15 to 20 feet by the hole is OK. Take your bogey and be happy."
Gary Player, who has three top-20 finishes in Oakmont U.S. Opens

Average Joe: "I managed to avoid the back bunker and still made 7. For fun, I went back and hit three shots from that pit to a front-right hole location. Each came out soft, but none stayed on the green."

Credit: L.C. Lambrecht; Getty Images (Player)

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