Rory McIlroy's US Open Practice Round Review Will Strike Fear
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
There is a reason Oakmont Country Club is known as one of the toughest tests in golf. Ask Rory McIlroy, the 2011 U.S. Open winner, because he knows how difficult this track is.
McIlroy is looking to join the likes of Ben Hogan this week with a seventh straight top 10 finish at the U.S. Open. Ahead of the season's third major championship, the reigning Masters champion dropped a stunning reaction to his practice round last Monday at Oakmont.
"Last Monday felt impossible. I birdied the last two holes for 81," McIlroy said. "It felt pretty good. It didn't feel like I played that bad."
Rory McIlroy just said he birdied the last two holes during his scouting trip at Oakmont last week just to shoot 81. pic.twitter.com/LCrO0peRYM — Paul Hodowanic (@PaulHodowanic) June 10, 2025
For McIlroy to feel like he played well and still shoot 81 shows how difficult the USGA has set up this golf course.
"Even though Gil [Hanse] has come in here and done his thing, it's still a big brute of a golf course," he explained. "You're going to have to have your wits about you this week throughout the bag, off the tee, into the greens, around the greens. Look, everyone knows what to expect. It's Oakmont. It's going to be a great test."
McIlroy played historically poorly last week at the RBC Canadian Open. He shot a 78 to miss the cut and post his worst 36-hole finish on the PGA Tour.
OAKMONT, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 10: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland speaks to the media during his pre-tournament media conference prior to the 125th U.S. OPEN at Oakmont Country Club on June 10, 2025 in Oakmont,...
OAKMONT, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 10: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland speaks to the media during his pre-tournament media conference prior to the 125th U.S. OPEN at Oakmont Country Club on June 10, 2025 in Oakmont, Pennsylvania. More
Photo byThe Northern Irishman has not driven the ball well since the USGA deemed his driver non-conforming ahead of the PGA Championship.
To succeed at Oakmont, players must hit fairways and hit as many as possible. The rough will be brutal. McIlroy knows this, so to combat his driver woes, he spent last weekend testing more big sticks out to find his next gamer.
"Every driver sort of has its own character, and you're trying to manage the misses," McIlroy noted. "I think I learnt a lot on Thursday and Friday last week and did a good bit of practice at home, and feel like I'm in a better place with everything going into this week."
What did he learn? In typical Rory fashion, he flat out said, "I learned that I wasn't using the right driver," causing the whole room to laugh.
McIlroy returned the TaylorMade Qi10 to his bag after using the Qi35 in Canada.
Rory McIlroy out on the course this morning @usopengolf with the @TaylorMadeGolf Qi10 driver.
📸pic.twitter.com/ezp5oXLiqY — Alistair Cameron (@ACameronPGATOUR) June 10, 2025
Only time will tell if the switch will pay off. He did have the Qi10 in the bag for all three of his wins this year, including when he completed the career grand slam at Augusta National.
McIlroy will tee off alongside two European Ryder Cup teammates in Shane Lowry and Justin Rose. They go off on Thursday at 7:40 a.m. ET and 1:25 p.m. ET on Friday.
More Golf: US Open 2025: All 156 Golfers Ranked by Chances at Oakmont
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