OAKMONT, Pa. — Twenty-odd years ago, I sat with Ian Woosnam on a golf cart at Kiawah Island, South Carolina. Woosie is the practically-minded son of a Welsh farmer and not given to deep reflection, but on one question he was. He told me he could pinpoint exactly — to the day — when his career decline began.

Rory McIlroy had another disappointing showing at the U.S. Open at Oakmont this weekend, but he's finding inspiration as he looks to the next major event.

Five-time major winner Rory McIlroy had a disappointing first round at the US Open and got off to an even worse start in the second.

Through six holes of his second round on Friday, McIlroy sat eight-over par with the cut projected to come into play at seven-over. The reigning Masters champion was forced to fight his way into the weekend at Oakmont Country Club outside Pittsburgh — and it really became a battle.

Even during a frustrating week, Rory McIlroy managed to make more golf history. The five-time major champ was never in contention at the U.S. Open, needing a closing birdie on Friday at Oakmont just to make the cut.

Rory McIlroy ended what amounted to a partial boycott of the media on Saturday at the U.S. Open. But what he said didn't suggest his frosty relationship with the press had thawed. For the first time since the Masters,

Rory McIlroy lashed out at the toughest golf course in the country Friday as Oakmont Country Club continued to bare its teeth at the 156 men competing in the 2025 U.S. Open. Though McIlroy was hardly the only golfer to be frustrated by the difficulties he faced in Western Pennsylvania,