Rory McIlroy is heading into the 125th US Open with a mix of hard-earned insight and mental fatigue. Oakmont, the famously brutal venue just outside Pittsburgh, delivered a punishing preview during McIlroy’s recent scouting round. Despite finishing with birdies on the last two holes, he shot an 81 and described the experience as feeling “impossible.” He noted extreme green speeds, tricky pin placements, and the need for relentless precision particularly off the tee.
Conditions have slightly eased since that practice round, with greens softening and pins in less punishing positions. Still, Oakmont remains a stern test. The key, according to McIlroy, is patience, accuracy, and accepting that par is often a victory. “You get yourself in the way of a few birdies, that’s a bonus,” he remarked. The rough is thick and unforgiving, making it difficult to even locate balls that drift slightly off-line. Even players who hit fairways may not be safe if they fail to manage the slopey greens or aggressive contours.
Jon Rahm echoed these sentiments, pointing out that a drive missing the fairway by just a foot could still result in a forced lay-up. The randomness of outcomes when players stray from Oakmont’s narrow corridors creates additional mental strain, further reinforcing that success hinges more on mental resilience than raw talent.
McIlroy arrives with additional complications. Though he recently achieved the career grand slam with his Masters victory in April, the emotional and psychological aftermath of such a long-sought milestone is affecting his focus. The motivation to push forward especially so soon after such a career-defining moment has not come easily. He acknowledged a familiar struggle to find drive after big wins, a pattern that has cropped up throughout his career.
Recent performance reflects that internal battle. He missed the cut at the Canadian Open, prompting a driver change heading into Oakmont. While the issue doesn’t appear to be technical, it underscores his current vulnerability. McIlroy himself noted the difficulty in “resetting” after achieving a dream he chased for over 15 years. For now, he’s taking things one tournament at a time.
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau enters as the defending US Open champion, carrying confidence and momentum. He described Oakmont as “probably the toughest golf course in the world right now” and emphasized the importance of hitting fairways and making putts inside 10 feet. DeChambeau, who has become a central figure for LIV Golf, hinted at contract renegotiations later this year, confident in his value and the tour’s future.
Both players face major tests this week but for McIlroy, the battle may be as much within as it is against the course.
