Rory McIlroy Falters at US Open

Rory McIlroy came up short in his bid to win a second U.S. Open, finishing 6-over for the week at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. On June 21, he signed for a 3-over 73.

What happened?

Rory McIlroy started the day 10 shots back of leader Wyndham Clark. An aggressive tee shot on No. 1 nearly drove the green on the opening hole, but his greenside pitch couldn’t hold the putting surface.

McIlroy bogeyed three of his first five holes to evaporate any chances of a miracle final-round rally. He ultimately finished outside the top 30 when he signed his scorecard.

Why it matters for Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy is now 15 years removed from his lone U.S. Open title at Congressional. He made the turn Saturday at 2-under and was very much alive for his second major championship of the year.

But he bogeyed four of his first six holes on the inward half, and ultimately signed for a back-nine 40 that quickly jettisoned his title hopes. Reflecting on the week as a whole, he pointed to that pivotal stretch in the third round as the moment where the trophy moved out of reach.

What comes next?

Rory McIlroy will look to bounce back from this disappointment. He knows just where things went wrong, and he will try to learn from his mistakes.

Rory McIlroy said: “You try to come out here today positive, and you try to muster up the energy to try to put a good one up there.” But a couple of bogeys on the front nine, and he was just trying to race his way to the 18th green.

Rory McIlroy also said: “I think (the course) won the battle over me at this point.” He was really disappointed coming away from the course on June 20.

The US Open was held at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. Rory McIlroy finished 6-over for the week, and he will look to improve his performance in his next tournament.