Ever since etching his name in golf history forever with his win at the Masters, Rory McIlroy has struggled for form – but the Northern Irishman got off to a strong start at Oakmont
10:59 ET, 12 Jun 2025Updated 11:01 ET, 12 Jun 2025
Rory McIlroy has not been at his best since winning the Masters while he appeared more subdued in press conferences than usual(Image: Getty Images)
Rory McIlroy appeared at ease with his game during the first round of the U.S. Open amid claims his behavior has been “not normal.”
McIlroy arrived at the U.S. Open after his big score from a nightmare practice round emerged. Fans were left in no doubt after footage of him emerged, although Tiger Woods’ suggestion on the ‘horrible’ U.S. Open was music to his ears.
On Thursday morning, McIlroy made a fine start to his challenge for U.S. Open glory, a major he has not won since 2011, at Oakmont – which is somehow even harder than before. The Northern Irishman is seemingly still basking in the glow of his Masters win that saw him become the sixth player in history to claim the career Grand Slam.
However, McIlroy struggled for form ahead of the 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont. He missed the cut at the Canadian Open last week, having put in a disappointing performance at the PGA Championship, which Scottie Scheffler won.
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Both performances were riddled with issues stemming from his driver. On Monday, McIlroy – who wants to put his Masters win out of his mind – revealed he shot 11-over during a practice round, and former Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley claimed his behavior was not representative of his usual self.
“I’m no psychologist, but it looks like the air has been sucked out of him a little since that, not just in the way he’s played but in his press conferences,” McGinley said on the Golf Channel’s ‘Live From’ show. “It’s very un-Rory-like in his press conferences to have such low energy.
“There will be a reset at some stage, and it doesn’t look like it’ll come this week. His team are saying he’s playing okay. But this is not normal Rory. This is not when he’s at his best, in my opinion.
“I think he’s at his best when he’s p—– off and he’s out to prove something following off a big loss or something that went wrong.”
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Rory McIlroy was in a jovial mood throughout the front nine of his U.S. Open challenge(Image: Getty Images)
McIlroy seemed to prove McGinley wrong immediately, following a par on his first hole at the 10th by ripping off birdies at 11 and 12 to move near the top of the leaderboard. If there were any worries over his behavior and attitude, they were allayed early on the treacherous Oakmont course.
McIlroy could be seen laughing and joking with Shane Lowry, as well as his caddie Harry Diamond. He was his usual bouncy self as he purposefully strutted around the course with his chest out and arms swinging.
In fact, the only time McIlroy showed any inkling of discontent was when he missed a 40-foot eagle opportunity on the par five 12th. The five-time major champion seemed to find his line but thought the ball would break more than it did.
He held his putter in both hands and looked to the heavens in frustration, but it was brief. Ultimately, McIlroy seemed annoyed, not because he missed the shot but because the position of his birdie attempt was not as close as he’d liked.
No matter. McIlroy slotted the five-foot putt and moved to two-under. Through eight holes in the first round of the 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont, McIlroy is at two-under. He is two shots behind leader J.J. Spaun.
