Sometimes, golf gives you the stage to shine.
Other times, it hands you a brutal reminder of its cruelty.
For Rory McIlroy at Oakmont, Day One of the U.S. Open felt like the latter.
Just weeks after the high of winning the Masters, he found himself struggling to keep it together on a course that seemed determined to break even the best.
And when it was all over, McIlroy—visibly frustrated—walked straight past the press without saying a word. Again.
From Early Promise to a Crushing Collapse
The day actually started with hope. McIlroy rolled in a 30-foot birdie on the 11th hole and made another at the 12th.
It looked like he might be finding his rhythm, despite testing out a new driver—the fourth different one he’s used in just three tournaments.
But after making the turn at two-under-par and sitting just a stroke off the lead, everything fell apart.
He ended the day with a four-over 74, leaving him a whopping eight shots behind early clubhouse leader JJ Spaun.
Another Quiet Exit from the Media Tent
This is now the fifth major round in a row that McIlroy has avoided speaking to the press afterward.
Given how the back nine played out—bogeys, a double, missed putts, and a driver that misbehaved like its predecessors—it’s not all that surprising.
What is surprising is just how fast he slid from a place of contention to one of crisis.
JJ Spaun Shines in Tough Conditions
While McIlroy struggled, JJ Spaun thrived. He shot a bogey-free 66 to take the early lead at four under par.
That’s no small feat at Oakmont—a notoriously difficult course.
In fact, during the 2016 U.S. Open at this same venue, only one player managed to go bogey-free in a round.
That was Dustin Johnson, who went on to win the whole thing.
Spaun didn’t even hit every green—he missed six—but managed to scramble for par each time.
It was a textbook example of resilience and precision under pressure.
Big Names Brought Down to Earth
McIlroy wasn’t the only major name having issues.
Scottie Scheffler, currently the top-ranked player in the world, struggled to find any rhythm and finished with a 73.
He hit just 11 greens in regulation and looked off-kilter from the start.
Bryson DeChambeau, the defending champion, also had a tough day.
He needed three swings to escape the rough on one hole and couldn’t figure out the pace of the greens.
He summed it up in one word: “Brutal.”
Koepka and Rahm Hold Their Ground
Brooks Koepka, however, looked like a man on a mission.
He closed strong with back-to-back birdies to card a 68—good enough for two under.
Jon Rahm wasn’t far behind, finishing at one under.
Koepka’s performance was a reminder that he’s still a force in the majors, especially after missed cuts at the Masters and PGA Championship.
His form seems to be peaking at the right time.
Lowry, Rose, and McIlroy: A Group to Forget
McIlroy’s playing group had a rough time overall.
Shane Lowry, despite chipping in for par on 17 and holing out for eagle on the third, could only manage a 79.
Justin Rose wasn’t much better, finishing with a 77.
Together, the three combined for a whopping 20-over-par.
Lowry’s frustration was clear when he ripped a microphone out of the ground and tossed it—a moment that captured the overall mood of the round.
Oakmont Remains a Monster
Even on a relatively calm day in terms of wind, Oakmont showed its teeth.
Narrow fairways, punishing rough, and tricky greens turned even the best golfers into survivors.
McIlroy’s back nine was a case study in disaster.
He three-putted on his 10th hole of the day, missed fairways consistently, and ignored his caddie’s advice for a penalty drop, only to end up in deeper trouble.
A 32-foot putt saved him from a complete meltdown on one hole, but the damage had been done.
A Day to Forget, but Hope Isn’t Lost
Despite the frustration, not all hope is gone for McIlroy.
While he’s got a mountain to climb, stranger things have happened in golf.
His Masters win showed his mental strength.
But if he wants to write another chapter in his comeback story, he’ll need a miraculous turnaround—and fast.
Meanwhile, MacIntyre Keeps British Hopes Alive
On the brighter side, Scotland’s Bob MacIntyre posted an even-par 70 and is right in the mix.
He hit 11 of 14 fairways and looks well-positioned heading into the weekend.
As for McIlroy? It’s yet another disappointing start in a major, and the post-Masters dip is becoming harder to ignore.
The next few days will reveal whether this was just a stumble—or something more serious.