Treacherous layout humbling many at US Open

RNZ News

11 hours ago

Kiwi Ryan Fox plays his shot from the third tee during the third round of the 125th US Open at Oakmont Country Club, Pennsylvania.
Photo:
ANDY LYONS
Like many at the US Open in 2025, it's been another challenging day for New Zealand golfer Ryan Fox in the third round.
Fox has shot a three over 73 for the second straight day, which leaves him at eight over the tournament.
It didn't take long for the renowned Oakmont Country Club to bite for Fox, after a double bogey at the third, following pars at the first two holes.
The Canadian Open winner then showed a glimpse of his talent, with birdies at four, five and six, to get back to four over.
His tee shot on the par-three sixth in particular, was exceptional, as he hit the ball to within a foot of the hole.
But that was as good as it got for Fox, as he dropped a shot on the seventh, and then posted a second double bogey of the round, at the par four ninth hole.
He then steadied on the back nine, dropping just the one shot, when he bogeyed the 15th hole.
Despite Fox's challenges, there are still plenty of golfers behind him, including Masters champion Rory McIlroy, who has come under fire for avoiding media after six consecutive major championship rounds.
McIlroy ended that silent run on Saturday at the US Open where he said he felt he had earned the right to do as he pleases.
PGA Tour players are not obligated to speak to the media after their rounds but for someone like world number two McIlroy, who has been the de facto spokesman of the US-based circuit in recent years, it has come to be expected.
Following a four-over 74 that has him at 10-over for the tournament, McIlroy spoke to reporters and was asked if his drop in form since winning the Masters was why he decided to avoid the media outside of pre-tournament availabilities.
"No, not really. It's more a frustration with you guys," McIlroy told reporters before being asked to elaborate.
"I'm just, yeah, I don't know. I have, I've been totally available for the last few years, and I'm not saying - maybe not you guys, but maybe more just the whole thing."
McIlroy's silent stretch at the majors began at last month's PGA Championship where he declined to speak to the media after a poor first round and held firm after news of his driver failing a conformance test leaked during the second round.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland walks off the seventh tee during the third round of the 125th US Open at Oakmont Country Club.
Photo:
ROSS KINNAIRD
McIlroy said the leaked news was part of his decision to go silent but also reminded the assembled media that he walked by them without taking questions after his opening round of this year's Masters.
"It's not as if - it's not out of the ordinary. I've done it before; I'm just doing it a little more often," McIlroy said. "I feel like I've earned the right to do whatever I want to do, yeah."
The five-times major champion, who like many top players struggled mightily at a treacherous Oakmont layout where some rounds have been well above five hours long, rallied to make the cut on Friday with little to lose.
"Yeah, it's funny, like it's much easier being on the cut line when you don't really care if you're here for the weekend or not," McIlroy said.
"I was sort of thinking, do I really want two more days here or not. So it makes it easier to play better when you're in that mindset."
When McIlroy was asked what his expectations were for the final round he made it crystal clear that he is counting down the hours until he can get home.
"Hopefully a round in under four-and-a-half hours and get out of here," McIlroy said.
- RNZ / Reuters