Rory McIlroy battled through adversity to make the cut at the 125th US Open, held at the notoriously brutal Oakmont. Despite a rocky start to his round, McIlroy showed grit and determination, ultimately sinking a vital birdie on the 18th to card a 72 and finish the day at six over par. His final four holes, played in two under, were instrumental in keeping his tournament hopes alive.
In stark contrast, several high-profile names tumbled out of the competition. Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau missed the cut after following up an opening 73 with a 77, finishing at ten over. Others to exit included Tommy Fleetwood, Dustin Johnson, Joaquin Niemann, Justin Thomas, and Shane Lowry. Lowry added a moment of self-inflicted misfortune when he received a penalty for lifting his ball on the 14th green without marking it.
McIlroy’s round was filled with frustration: two double bogeys in his first three holes set a grim tone, and by the 12th he launched an iron down the fairway in exasperation. Later, he broke a tee marker with his three-wood. Still, amidst the chaos, his resilience shone through.
Only three players managed to stay under par at the halfway mark Sam Burns, JJ Spaun, and Viktor Hovland. Burns leads at three under following a remarkable 65, capped with a 20-foot birdie putt on his final hole. His composed approach to the course, focusing on rhythm and not forcing shots, paid dividends.
Hovland’s 68 saw him finish one under for the tournament. His return to form is encouraging, especially in a Ryder Cup year. He demonstrated mental fortitude, calmly handling Oakmont’s challenges and avoiding emotional swings even after a double bogey on his 11th hole.
Among those still in contention is Jon Rahm, who ended the day at four over. Visibly frustrated, Rahm criticized the difficulty of the putting conditions but remained within reach of the leaders. Scottie Scheffler matched Rahm’s total and, despite an erratic round, stayed positive. His relentless practice after finishing play underscored his determination.
Brooks Koepka, another key figure, showed glimpses of his old self. He twice reached three under on his front nine but faltered with six bogeys on the way in, finishing at two over. Despite recent struggles and the distractions of a move to the LIV Tour, Koepka’s game appears to be trending upward.
Oakmont, with its fiendish pin placements and punishing layout, has already exacted a heavy toll. Long rounds and mental fatigue have tested even the most seasoned pros. Yet, amid the carnage, a handful of players led by Burns have shown that steady nerves and smart strategy can still thrive.
