Rory McIlroy, the accomplished Masters champion and current world number two, recently shared his challenging experience at the Oakmont Country Club, which is set to host this week’s US Open. Just last week, he described the course as feeling “impossible,” following a practice round in which he shot a staggering 81. However, a day later, he found the course to be somewhat more manageable.
Reflecting on his previous struggles at Oakmont during the 2016 US Open, where he missed the cut, McIlroy recalled the grueling nature of the course, especially after its recent redesign ahead of this year’s tournament. He noted the severe rough and undulating greens that had once contributed to his difficulties; on June 2, he carded an 11-over, reinforcing the course’s reputation as a heavyweight in the golfing world.
“The five-inch rough and the greens running at 15 and a half really added to the challenge,” McIlroy stated, describing Oakmont as a “big brute of a golf course.” After his initial rough outing, he expressed satisfaction with his play on Tuesday, feeling the course was “softer” and more playable if he could keep his ball on the fairway.
As he prepares for the tournament, McIlroy emphasized the importance of patience and strategy, noting that making pars should be the priority, with birdies coming as a pleasant surprise. He also highlighted the necessity of having spotters on the course to assist with lost balls in the challenging rough.
With his past experiences behind him, McIlroy remains hopeful, focusing on the playability of Oakmont and intent on leveraging his skills to face its demanding layout. His insights reveal a mixture of regaining confidence and a positive outlook on overcoming the odds this week.