Rory McIlroy Shoots 81 in US Open Oakmont Practice Round

Rory McIlroy faced significant challenges during his practice round at Oakmont ahead of the 2025 U.S. Open, shooting an 11-over-par 81 despite feeling he did not play badly, illustrating the course's notorious difficulty. The brutal conditions, including firm greens and tough pin placements, made scoring exceptionally hard, with McIlroy birdieing the final two holes to avoid an even higher score. His recent struggles include missing the cut at the RBC Canadian Open, compounded by issues with his driver, which he sought to address by testing different clubs, including reverting to an older driver used at the Masters. McIlroy acknowledged that hitting fairways and managing the ball below the hole would be crucial strategies to navigate Oakmont's thick rough and fast greens. The course conditions have softened somewhat due to recent rain, offering a more playable setup compared to the nearly impossible conditions McIlroy experienced initially. Meanwhile, World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler enters the tournament as the favorite, aiming to add the U.S. Open to his recent string of victories and continue his pursuit of the career Grand Slam.