US OPEN RELATED STORIES US Open Home Page US Open Preview Round 1: Nick Dougherty is early US Open leader Round 1: Tiger Woods happy with opening 71 Round 1: Rose amongst European challengers Round 1: Despite problems Mickelson cards 74 Round 2: Angel Cabrera holds narrow advantage Round 2:Paul Casey tames Oakmont with a 66 Round 2: Poor putting costs Phil Mickelson Round 2: Tiger Woods stays in touch with a 74 Round 3: Aaron Baddeley edges two shots clear Round 3: Lack of patience costs Bubba Watson Round 3: European players in contention Round 3: Steady Tiger Woods closes in Round 4: Angel Cabrera seals narrow US Open win Round 4: Aaron Baddeley falls out of contention with an 80 Round 4: Poor drive costs Jim Furyk another US Open Round 4: Tiger Woods fails to find magic touch on Sunday Course Guide: Oakmont US Open Scores Ernie Els seeks 1994 inspiration Injured Phil Mickelson will play US Open Zach Johnson seeks second major title Tiger Woods ready for US Open Michael Campbell seeking a return to form Oakmont's injured highlight modern game Arnold Palmer recalls first Oakmont experience Oakmont eases a little with thunderstorm 2007 PGA Tour Schedule GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Fisher coasts to seven shot win Kim claims the title with closing 65 Lee secures narrow victory Romero holds on to claim second senior title International players dominating the LPGA Drugs testing begins this week GREAT GIFTS FOR GOLFERS Golf Breaks to Portugal & Ireland Half Price Golf Vouchers InstructaCard - your portable pro! The Father & Son Golf Ch'ship Golf Insurance

Arnold Palmer recalls first Oakmont experience

Arnold Palmer says the essence of Oakmont remains unchanged since he first played the U.S. Open course as a 12-year-old some 66 years ago.

"The greens and surfaces have not been changed since this golf course was built," the honorary chairman of the 107th U.S. Open, starting on Thursday, told reporters when asked about the course created in 1904.

"I think that's a very significant factor."

Some 4,000 trees have been removed in a major renovation begun in 1999, returning the layout to its original design as an inland links course -- so revered by golf officials that it will be hosting a record eighth U.S. Open tournament.

"As back in the days when I first came here there wasn't a tree on this golf course. Zero. I was 12 years old and it was 1941, and it was beautiful," said Palmer.

"And it was something I had never experienced before, with no trees. It was truly an inland, links golf course and it played like one."

Palmer, who grew up in nearby Latrobe, won a Western Pennsylvania Amateur at Oakmont but had some heartbreaking near-misses as a pro.

He lost an 18-hole playoff against Jack Nicklaus in the 1962 Open at Oakmont, and contended in the 1973 championship before being overtaken by Johnny Miller, who set a major championship record by posting 63 in the final round to win.

Palmer, the son of the greenskeeper at Latrobe Country Club, still cherishes the memory of his first encounter with Oakmont when he was invited to play the country club course by Latrobe's club president.

"All I heard in that day was how great Oakmont was and how much everybody enjoyed playing. And I couldn't talk," Palmer said.

"My father and I came here and we played, and it was one of the great thrills of my life."