At the 125th US Open at Oakmont, defending champion Bryson DeChambeau may have bowed out with a disappointing finish at +10, but Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy fought against the treacherous course and his own frustrations to secure a spot for the weekend.
McIlroy’s journey at Oakmont was filled with ups and downs, starting with two double bogeys within the first three holes. Despite moments of frustration where he flung his iron and broke a tee marker in anger, McIlroy showed admirable fighting spirit that helped him finish with a birdie on the 18th hole, securing his place for the weekend with a six-over aggregate.
The challenging course at Oakmont saw other big names like Tommy Fleetwood, Dustin Johnson, Joaquin Niemann, Justin Thomas, and Shane Lowry exit the tournament. Lowry, in a moment of forgetfulness, incurred a one-stroke penalty after lifting his ball on the 14th green without marking it, showcasing the mental challenges players face at Oakmont.
Amidst the chaos and high scores, only three players, Sam Burns, JJ Spaun, and Viktor Hovland, managed to finish under par. Sam Burns leads the pack at minus three, with McIlroy still in contention despite the obstacles he faced during the tournament.
As the US Open unfolds with unexpected outcomes and challenging conditions, McIlroy’s resilience and determination highlight the mental and physical demands of competing at the highest level in golf. The unpredictable nature of the tournament leaves room for excitement and anticipation as players navigate the demanding course at Oakmont.
Sources:
1. “US Open: Rory McIlroy makes cut as defending champion DeChambeau bows out at Oakmont” – The Guardian [https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jun/14/us-open-rory-mcilroy-makes-cut-as-defending-champion-dechambeau-bows-out-at-oakmont]
2. “U.S. Open 2025: Rory McIlroy forced to take a drop after finding ditch on No. 9 at Oakmont” – Golfweek [https://golfweek.usatoday.com/story/sports/golf/majors/us-open/2025/06/14/us-open-2025-rory-mcilroy-finds-the-ditch-on-hole-9-at-oakmont/84202575007]
