U.S. Open 2025: Rory McIlroy forced to take a drop after finding ditch on No. 9 at Oakmont
U.S. Open 2025: Rory McIlroy forced to take a drop after finding ditch on No. 9 at Oakmont
You know it's been a tough week when you've become an example for the rules of golf.
Unfortunately, that's where Rory McIlroy was about halfway through his third round of the 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club on Saturday.
McIlroy played his last four holes Friday at 2 under to sneak inside the cutline and punch his ticket to the weekend, and things were going quite well, comparatively, through eight holes Saturday.
That was until his ball found one of Oakmont's infamous ditches, this one along the left side on hole No. 9.
McIlroy opted to take a penalty stroke and a drop, leading to a bogey and capping off a 2-over 37 on the front nine. And of course, the USGA took the opportunity to educate you at home about what to do if you find yourself in the same position as the 2025 Masters champion.
McIlroy, No. 2 in the Official World Golf Ranking, is playing alongside World No. 3 Xander Schauffele for the third round. Players were dealing with extremely wet conditions Saturday after overnight storms brought torrential downpour to Oakmont.
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