It's official: U.S. Open returns to Oakmont in 2016

The United States Golf Association confirmed today that the U.S. Open Championship will return to Oakmont Country Club for the ninth time in 2016.

The return of the tournament, first reported by the Post-Gazette last week, will come nine years after Oakmont was host to the 2007 Open. The previous gap between tournaments was 13 years.

The announcement was made in Farmington, N.Y. today, the day before the 109th U.S. Open begins at Bethpage Black.

"The USGA is extremely pleased to continue our long-standing relationship with Oakmont Country Club," said USGA President Jim Vernon. "As evident from the results of the 2007 championship, the course is a wonderful and complete test of golf. Equally important is the fact that since the early 1900s, Oakmont has been a proud supporter of the game. The USGA remains grateful that we have been invited back to conduct our 16th championship, which includes our recent visits in 2003 for the U.S. Amateur and in 2007 for the U.S. Open, as well as next year's U.S. Women's Open."

Oakmont already has been host to more U.S. Open Championships than any other venue.

"We are honored that the USGA has accepted our invitation to return to our historic course for a record ninth U.S. Open Championship," said Oakmont Country Club President Bill Griffin. "We value our longtime relationship with the USGA and are looking forward to building on the success of the 2007 U.S. Open, which is regarded as one of the best in that storied championship's history."

The dates of the championship are June 13-19, 2016.