McIlroy Drops to Third Favourite at US Open Amid Struggles

Rory McIlroy, fresh off his Masters victory, has seen his odds to win the US Open at Oakmont drift from second favourite to third as punters lose confidence following a missed cut at the Canadian Open and an honest admission of struggling during a recent practice round where he shot an 81. Despite his ongoing efforts and work on his game, McIlroy has admitted to motivational challenges since his Masters win, casting doubts on his readiness for the notoriously difficult Oakmont course, where he also missed the cut in 2016. The betting market now favours Scottie Scheffler and defending champion Bryson DeChambeau, with Scheffler listed as the short-price favourite and DeChambeau continuing to experiment with his equipment. Meanwhile, other contenders like Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele, and British players such as Shane Lowry and Bob MacIntyre have attracted some betting interest. McIlroy is grouped to tee off alongside Justin Rose and Shane Lowry, who has a notable history at Oakmont, and the tournament is expected to be a rigorous test for all players. Bookmakers anticipate strong performances from American players given the challenging conditions and course familiarity.