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Rory McIlroy at the US Open 2025: “I feel like I’ve earned the right to do whatever I want to do”

The third round of the US Open 2025 was disappointing for Rory McIlroy. With a round of 74, the Northern Irishman dropped back to tied 49th place. Although he faced the press after the round, his statements showed visible frustration, not only with his game, but also in his dealings with the media.

US Open 2025: A tired Rory McIlroy

Rory McIlroy was brief after his round on Saturday: He described his US Open in two words – “pretty average” – and when asked if he hadn’t hoped for more, he replied tersely “I was hoping to play better, but I didn’t.” To a certain extent, he puts this down to his Masters victory. After that he had run out of steam a little and was struggling with a lack of motivation. According to him, however, the new driver was responsible for this week’s performance.

He only just made the cut on Friday – thanks to a late birdie finish – but that didn’t seem to bother him much: “Yeah, it’s funny, like it’s much easier being on the cut line when you don’t really care if you’re here for the weekend or not.” However, he made it clear that he wasn’t enjoying the tournament: McIlroy said he was most looking forward to “hopefully a round in under four and a half hours and get out of here.”

Rory McIlroy distances himself from the press

McIlroy is also reserved in his dealings with the media. After his Masters victory, he frequently turned down press inquiries, including at the US Open. One of the reasons for this was a leaked driver test at the PGA Championship in which his club failed. McIlroy emphasized that this should have remained confidential. He explained that he was frustrated by the media landscape and did not feel obliged to give interviews. “ I feel like I’ve earned the right to do whatever I want to do”, he said.

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US Open 2025: Wyndham Clark destroys locker room after missing the cut

The Oakmont Country Club once again proves to be a merciless test at the 2025 US Open. Only a handful of players are managing to stay under par on the historic par-70 course – and defending champion Wyndham Clark is not among them. After two disappointing rounds of 74 (+8), the American missed the cut and was eliminated from the tournament on Friday.

According to a post by Tron Carter on X, Clark let his frustration boil over after the second round and damaged several lockers in the player area. Photos from inside the clubhouse show broken locker doors and torn panels, reportedly caused by kicks or punches. The USGA confirmed to U.S. media that the incident is under investigation. A fine or further sanctions are possible.

Clark faced heavy criticism on social media for his outburst. While frustration after an early major exit may be understandable, repeated misconduct on the big stage raises serious questions.

Wyndham Clark: US Open outburst not his first incident

Clark had already made headlines earlier this year during the 2025 PGA Championship. In the final round, he angrily hurled his driver into a sponsor board after a poor tee shot – all caught on live television.

Shortly afterward, Clark showed remorse and posted a public apology on Instagram, describing his behavior as “immature and disrespectful.”

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Tee Times for the 2025 US Open

The final day at Oakmont Country Club promises high tension – as the US Open 2025 enters the decisive round with a tight leaderboard. Sam Burns leads Adam Scott by one stroke and the duo will form the final flight on Sunday evening. Directly in front: J.J. Spaun and Viktor Hovland, both only just behind. Scottie Scheffler starts at 7:04 pm together with Nick Taylor, Rory McIlroy starts at 3:36 pm with Andrew Novak.

US Open 2025 – Round 4 Tee Times

Tee Teetime Player 1 Player 2
11:52 pm Cam Davis
12:03 pm Matthieu Pavon Jordan Smith
12:14 pm Hideki Matsuyama Harris English
12:25 pm Ryan McCormick Taylor Pendrith
12:36 pm Johnny Keefer Michael Kim
12:47 pm James Nicholas Brian Harman
12:58 pm Philip Barbaree Sungjae Im
13:14 pm Niklas Norgaard Denny McCarthy
13:25 pm Daniel Berger Tony Finau
13:36 pm Rory McIlroy Andrew Novak
13:47 pm Adam Schenk Mackenzie Hughes
13:58 pm Justin Hastings (a) Matt Fitzpatrick
14:09 pm Collin Morikawa Rasmus Højgaard
14:20 pm Ryan Fox Corey Conners
14:36 pm Patrick Reed Laurie Canter
14:47 pm Jon Rahm Tom Kim
14:58 pm Maverick McNealy Xander Schauffele
15:09 pm Si Woo Kim Jhonattan Vegas
15:20 pm Aaron Rai Trevor Cone
15:31 pm Jordan Spieth J.T. Poston
15:42 pm Brooks Koepka Thomas Detry
15:58 pm Jason Day Chris Kirk
16:09 pm Keegan Bradley Sam Stevens
16:20 pm Matt Wallace Ryan Gerard
16:31 pm Ben Griffin Victor Perez
16:42 pm Russell Henley Emiliano Grillo
16:53 pm Max Greyserman Christiaan Bezuidenhout
17:04 pm Nick Taylor Scottie Scheffler
17:20 pm Chris Gotterup Marc Leishman
17:31 pm Cameron Young Robert MacIntyre
17:42 pm Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen Thriston Lawrence
17:53 pm Tyrrell Hatton Carlos Ortiz
18:04 pm Viktor Hovland J.J. Spaun
18:15 pm Adam Scott Sam Burns
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US Open 2025: Rory McIlroy and the Rules of Golf for the Pros

At the US Open 2025, it’s not just the narrow fairways and lightning-fast greens that make the pros sweat and think—it’s also the ditches. Yes, ditches. Dry, rather unremarkable, and yet officially part of the course, they come into play on six holes. And they prove that knowing the rules is not just for officials. Rory McIlroy knew that well when, during the US Open 2025 at Oakmont, he sent his drive into one of the notorious ditches on the 9th hole. They may look harmless, but these ditches are considered red penalty areas.

Golf Rule Education at the US Open 2025: Rory Shows How It’s Done

The USGA and The R&A lay it out clearly in Rule 17.1: If your ball ends up in a red penalty area, you have options. Play it as it lies, take stroke-and-distance relief, drop back on the line, or take lateral relief. After his errant tee shot, McIlroy opted for what many amateurs often do—but few pros execute so coolly: lateral relief, thank you Rule 17.1d(3). Two club-lengths from the entry point into the penalty area, no closer to the hole, and one penalty stroke. Rule-compliant and smart, because in Oakmont, “playing it as it lies” often means: playing it where it really shouldn’t be. And just to round it out, the USGA provided a handy explainer video on X.

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Patrick Reed Makes History with Albatross at the US Open 2025

The 4th hole at Oakmont isn’t typically the scene of fireworks — unless your name is Patrick Reed. At the 2025 U.S. Open, the Texan reached for his fairway wood on the 621-yard par-5, unleashed a second shot from 286 yards, and found the bottom of the cup. Albatross.

The gallery erupted before Reed even knew what had happened — the shot was blind, the green out of sight. Only the roar of the crowd told him he’d just made a little piece of golf history.

US Open 2025: Albatrosses Are Rare – Especially at Oakmont

Oakmont Country Club is synonymous with punishment. It’s a course that doesn’t give — it takes. Sub-par rounds are minor miracles. And yet, amid the 2025 edition of the championship, one of the rarest shots in golf made its surprise appearance. Albatrosses — scoring three under par on a single hole — are golf’s equivalent of lightning strikes: incredibly rare, and nearly always unforgettable.

Reed’s shot marked only the fourth albatross in U.S. Open history. Before him, only T.C. Chen (1985), Shaun Micheel (2010), and Nick Watney (2012) had managed it. But none at Oakmont — the course that has hosted the U.S. Open more than any other in history.

By the time Reed reached the green, the ball had already vanished into the hole. It was a surreal moment: a searching player, a celebrating crowd, and the scoreboard confirming the impossible — a “2” on a par-5.

Turning Point in a Grinding Round

Before the 4th, Reed’s round had little spark. A bogey on the 2nd, a string of steady pars — then came the fireworks. The albatross catapulted him from +1 to -2 in a single stroke, an instant shift in momentum on a course where most players were struggling to break par. On average, Oakmont was playing more than five strokes over par, even under ideal conditions.

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US Open 2025: Disappointing Round for Bryson DeChambeau & Rory McIlroy

The first round of the US Open 2025 brought a sobering start for Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau. McIlroy began strongly with two birdies but was dragged down by four bogeys and a double bogey. DeChambeau struggled with a total of five bogeys. Both demonstrate how challenging the course is.

US Open 2025: Rory McIlroy’s strong start turns to disappointment

Rory McIlroy began his round at the US Open 2025 on the tenth hole and delivered an impressive opening. On the eleventh hole, he secured a well-earned birdie with a precise shot, followed by another strong moment on the twelfth, where he confidently sank the ball. These early successes raised hopes for a promising round. However, starting at the first hole, his momentum began to fade. A bogey on the first hole marked the initial setback, and he couldn’t avoid another bogey on the fourth. This trend continued with two more bogeys on the sixth and seventh holes. The low point came on the eighth hole, where he recorded a double bogey due to several poor chips. These mistakes dragged his overall score to +4, leaving him in a provisional tie for 62nd place at the end of his round.

Bryson DeChambeau battles the course

Bryson DeChambeau began his round at the US Open 2025 on the first hole and immediately faced a bogey on the par-four, setting a sobering tone. He secured a birdie on the third hole, but uncertainties persisted. Another birdie followed on the seventh, but it couldn’t solidify his momentum. The famous eighth hole, a 265-meter par-three, DeChambeau played to expectations with a par. On the twelfth hole, disaster struck: after two shots, he was behind the green on the 618 yard par-five and needed four more shots to hole out. His sixth shot was an eight-meter chip-in. Another bogey came on the thirteenth, followed by his fourth on the fourteenth. A fifth bogey on the eighteenth rounded out his opening. His score of +3 places him in a provisional tie for 49th.

Spaun surprises with lightning start

While big names like McIlroy, Scheffler, and DeChambeau are struggling, J.J. Spaun quietly climbs to the top of the leaderboard. The American gets off to a perfect start at the 2025 U.S. Open. No bogeys, four birdies – a round of 66 that almost feels surreal on this day. He’s also the only player in the early wave to remain bogey-free. Especially strong on Thursday: his short game. On the 10th, he chips in directly for birdie, and later he sinks multiple putts from beyond six feet. He shoots a 31 on his first nine holes – the best opening nine ever recorded at a U.S. Open held at Oakmont. And on the more difficult front nine, Spaun plays all holes at par – a rare balancing act on this course.

Spaun is benefitting from a short game tune-up he got just on Monday with a new coach. It seems to be paying off – he gains nearly four strokes on the field with his putting alone. The reward: the outright lead after round one.

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US Open 2025: “Toughest Course in the World” – DeChambeau’s Plan

The US Open 2025 at Oakmont Country Club promises an epic showdown on one of the most demanding golf courses in the world. As the reigning champion and a fan favorite, Bryson DeChambeau brings a unique blend of fearlessness, technical innovation, and passion for the game to Pennsylvania. In the pre-tournament press conference, he shares his thoughts on the brutal course, his optimized irons, and the motivation that drives him. This article highlights DeChambeau’s perspective and reveals how he plans to tackle the challenge of the US Open 2025 to defend his title.

US Open 2025: A Course Without Mercy

Bryson DeChambeau calls Oakmont “probably the toughest golf course in the world right now,” and his words underscore the immense challenge awaiting the players. The narrow fairways, thick roughs, and treacherous greens demand the highest precision. “You have to hit the fairways, you have to hit greens, and you have to two-putt, worst-case scenario,” he explains. Short putts are particularly critical: “When you’ve got those putts inside 10 feet, you’ve got to make them.” DeChambeau relishes the test, which pushes every aspect of the game to the limit. His experience in 2016, when Oakmont eliminated him early, taught him that there’s no room for error here. Yet, rather than being intimidated, he sees the difficulty as an opportunity: “I think the person that wins this week is going to hit a lot of fairways and make a lot of putts.”
US Open 2025 Live Scores

Technical Finesse: New Irons for Greater Control

Known for his scientific approach, DeChambeau has fine-tuned his equipment for the US Open 2025. New irons, ready only after the PGA Championship, are designed to enhance his precision. “We iterated on the design of the face. The heel is a little bit flatter on the curvature… and then I moved the CG out towards the toe,” he describes the changes. These adjustments aim to minimize overdraws that troubled him in the past. “I put them in play last week, and they felt great. Is it going to be the ultimate answer to me winning? I mean, probably not. But I think will it help me on certain shots in certain conditions? I think it might,” he says. True to his motto of constant improvement, DeChambeau plans to test a new golf ball later this year. His love for experimentation sets him apart in the field.

US Open 2025 Motivation through Fans

The support of the spectators gives DeChambeau the boost he needs to compete with full energy despite fatigue. “The only reason why I’m still here with this much energy is because of them,” he says enthusiastically. This passion fuels him both on and off the course. His YouTube presence, with over two million followers, is part of his mission to make golf more accessible to the next generation. “I view my legacy as not just winning golf tournaments. I view it as how much good can I do for the game outside of playing professionally,” he explains. His advice to young players like 17-year-old Mason Howell reflects his philosophy: “Learn how to hit it farther… You have to be fearless, in a sense… be grateful, as well.” For DeChambeau, the US Open 2025 is a stage to showcase his skills and inspire fans worldwide.

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Phil Mickelson Produces Magic Ahead of What May Be A Final US Open

The magician is at it again: Phil Mickelson’s short game wizardry is the stuff of legend, and if you needed a fresh reminder, just watch his latest sleight of hand from the rough at the LIV event in Virginia. With a wildly unconventional stance and angle of attack, “Lefty” holed out in a way that only he could.

The six-time major champion has hinted that the upcoming 125th US Open—his 54th major start—may very well be his last appearance at the national championship. His exemption from winning the 2021 PGA Championship expires after this year, and without another win or high enough ranking, automatic qualification will no longer be guaranteed.

The US Open has long been Mickelson’s white whale. It’s the only major missing from his résumé, the one title that stands between him and the elusive career Grand Slam. That he has finished runner-up six times only adds to the cruel poetry of it all. As he prepares to tee it up once more, just days before his 54th birthday, the question lingers: can golf’s great escape artist pull off one last trick?

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US Open: for the first time since 1999 without Sergio Garcia

The US Open is one of the most prestigious golf tournaments in the world, attracting players from all parts of the globe. The participants of this year’s US Open, held from June 12th to 15th at Oakmont Country Club, have been finalized. Particularly noticeable is the absence of Sergio Garcia, who is not participating in the US Open for the first time since 1999.

Sergio Garcia narrowly misses the US Open

The Spanish LIV golfer qualified for the US Open every year since 1999. This year, that tradition ends with a close second round. The first round of qualifying went promisingly for Sergio Garcia with seven birdies and only one bogey. Unfortunately, he couldn’t repeat this strong performance in the second round. Sergio Garcia played a round alternating between four birdies and four bogeys, resulting in an even-par round. The final score of six strokes under par is just one stroke too many to qualify for the tournament.

Qualification for the US Open

The US Open, as the name suggests, is an open tournament. Every pro or amateur with a handicap index of 0.4 or lower can register to compete for a spot in the U.S. Open. Qualification happens in two phases: The local qualification was held at over 110 locations in late April and early May and consists of 18 holes. Players who passed this phase then advanced to the final qualification with 36 holes in one day. This final qualifying round is also known as “the longest day in golf.”

Who succeeded on the Longest Day?

Among the players who managed to qualify is Edoardo Molinari, who prevailed at Walton Heath Golf Club in England. Erik van Rooyen and Cameron Young secured their spots at Kinsale Golf and Fitness Club in Ohio, USA. Matt Wallace and Victor Perez qualified for the major at Lambton Golf & Country Club in Canada.

The qualifying tournament at Emerald Dunes Golf Club in Florida is still ongoing, and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard still has a chance to secure a spot in the US Open.

US Open without these golf stars

Unfortunately, several prominent names like Sergio Garcia, Rickie Fowler, Padraig Harrington, and Max Homa failed to secure a spot in this year’s U.S. Open.

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“Snail Plague” at the U.S. Women’s Open: Momentum Killer in the Making

At first glance, this year’s U.S. Women’s Open at Erin Hills offered all the hallmarks of a breakthrough moment for women’s golf. “I think if women’s golf was a stock, you’d buy it because it’s what’s driving our game forward,” declared USGA CEO Mike Whan. “The first thing they would say about the future is the future of the game looks more female than it’s ever looked in 100 years. That’s an exciting time.”

 
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It’s a sentiment shared by many, and rightly so. The talent pool has never been deeper, the storylines more compelling, or the athleticism more evident. Yet amid all the deserved optimism, an all-too-familiar issue once again cast a long shadow: pace of play.

Despite years of dialogue and supposed reforms, slow play remains a thorn in the side of the women’s game. And at Erin Hills, it reached a boiling point. Several groups took well over three hours to complete just nine holes, grinding the tournament to an excruciating crawl and drawing criticism from fans, media, and players alike.

 
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This isn’t a new dilemma. The LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour have both faced mounting pressure to tackle the problem, especially in marquee events. But for all the promises of change, the pace at the U.S. Women’s Open suggested that the message hasn’t quite landed.

No one embodied the frustration more than Charley Hull. Paired with the ever-methodical Lexi Thompson, Hull’s irritation was plain to see—and she didn’t try to hide it.

 
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She was seen walking off greens before her group had finished, heading straight to the next tee box, even sitting down in the rough in silent protest. Her body language spoke volumes—and quickly went viral.

 
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Hull’s exasperation echoed the concerns of fellow star Nelly Korda, who has also been vocal about the need for stricter enforcement. And while tournament officials have introduced new policies in recent seasons, those guardrails were evidently missing in Wisconsin.

The stakes are high. Women’s golf is enjoying a long-overdue surge in popularity, and moments like Erin Hills should be showcasing the sport’s brilliance—not bogging it down with marathon rounds and player frustration. The USGA and its partners must act decisively. Because if women’s golf is indeed on the rise, it cannot afford to trip over the same stumbling block again and again.

Let the headlines be about the birdies, not the bottlenecks.