Footwear Rotations: 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont

This week 156 players teed it up at Oakmont. And if you looked down, it felt like they were all wearing the same thing. White shoes. Everywhere.

The 125th U.S. Open brought drama from tee to green, but from the ankles down, it was a sea of sameness. All-white silhouettes dominated the field. On one of golf’s biggest stages, the footwear looked anything but bold. The lack of expression felt like a missed opportunity. Golf is slowly starting to embrace individuality, especially through footwear. And yet, this rotation looked more like a product catalog than a moment.

That’s what made a few choices stand out.

Collin Morikawa, known for always wearing the Adidas ZG, broke pattern with the MC Z-Traxion — a quiet, heritage-inspired pivot.

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Dustin Johnson brought out a custom Air Jordan 1 Low G to celebrate his Oakmont win years back, complete with a reverse swoosh and 4Aces branding.

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And Austen Truslow? He skipped golf shoes altogether, opting for New Balance baseball turf trainers.

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These were the rare moments where style told a story. Golf’s not about the shoes, but when everyone’s wearing the same pair, the few that break away speak volumes.

I’ve said it before: shoe brands need to exercise more player-exclusive colorways. Yes, majors like this are a stage to showcase general release footwear — but you also have 2 to 4 days of play to sell. Brands need to invest in their athletes, invest in their unique stories. I get it, you signed them for a billboard opportunity, but take a moment to celebrate them as individuals. Give them space to express themselves. Because when they do, it creates buzz, hype, and conversation — all of which comes back to the brand.

In a sea of same, the easiest way to stand out is to show out — and tell that unique player’s story.