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.

McIlroy is scheduled to play next week’s Travelers Championship, the season’s final signature event on the PGA Tour, before heading to the United Kingdom for next month’s Scottish Open and Open Championship, which will be played at Northern Ireland’s Royal Portrush.

After finishing well back in the U.S. Open field, Rory McIlroy will soon turn his attention to trying to win the Open Championship at Portrush.

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,

Wild tee shots and media boycotts: The pride of Northern Ireland is acting oiut of character after finally winning the Masters.

Something is eating Rory McIlroy. How does a guy go from the pinnacle of professional fulfillment to the petulant, club-throwing, tee marker-smashing anger ball that’s been stomping around Oakmont Country Club the last two days?

Sam Burns held the second round clubhouse lead at the U.S. Open on Friday as overnight leader J.J. Spaun struggled late at Oakmont Country Club while Rory McIlroy was flirting with the cutline and Bryson DeChambeau looked certain to head home early.

Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, prepares to hit from the tall grass on the fourth hole during the first round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Oakmont Country Club Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Oakmont, Pa. Credit: AP/Seth Wenig