I had the great fortune of being able to play Oakmont about 3 years ago. I had been been playing really poorly (shot 93 at French Creek the week prior) and was terrified of the outcome, particularly as I was hosted by one of the best players in the club. Somehow, the evening before I went out to play a really severe Hurdzan/Fry course called Olde Stonewall and after hacking it around made a grip change in the middle of the back nine that was suddenly magical.
Prior to the round John Yerger had advised me very simply...when you get into trouble, and you will, get out of trouble. It turned out to be sage advice.
Fast forward to my trembling self on the 1st hole where we find that my 3-iron approach has nestled on the lip for a tap in birdie. I stagger forward and somehow find myself standing on the 8th tee at 1 over par, having missed a 4-foot birdie attempt on 6. The wind started picking up and was probably gusting a good 15-20 mph by the time I finished but after taking double on 14 (the only time I neglected John's advice) I finished par, par, par, bogey for an 80 in what was the best ball striking and putting round of my life. My only 3 putt was on the 9th for a sloppy bogey.
Other than perhaps a crazy good round at Ballyneal last summer, it was probably the highlight of my 50 year golf career.
I will say that Oakmont doesn't get in my head in the same way that tight, tree-lined courses or ones with lots of water hazards in the driving area do and the fact that it looks like open linksland probably had me swinging more freely than I tend to do. That's a personal preference, though.
**EDIT** - I just looked at the scorecard and see I bogeyed 15 as well with a three putt after hitting Driver - 5 iron into the wind to about 40 feet.