McIlroy smashed a tee marker on Oakmont's 17th hole on Friday evening, then birdied his last hole to make the U.S. Open cut with a shot to spare.

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.

The Masters champion said he had been struggling to find motivation and in his second round at Oakmont is struggling to qualify for weekend.

A poor second nine left Rory McIlroy with a 4-over 74 in the first round of the U.S. Open at Oakmont. He played his final six holes in 5 over. This U.S.

All three were between seven and eight shots behind the leader, and all were in danger of being cut Friday. The U.S. Open remains golf’s cruelest test.

Oakmont proved to be too much for defending U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau and Masters champion Rory McIlroy, at least in the first round. DeChambeau carded a 3-over 73, while McIlroy was one stroke worse.

Scottie Scheffler opened with a three-over-par 73 that was his worst first-round score relative to par of his majors career.

Rory McIlroy started off hot in the first round of the U.S. Open on Thursday, but a brutal finish to his round leaves him well off the lead after 18 holes.