McIlroy Struggles 4-Over 74 at Treacherous U.S. Open Oakmont Course

The 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club has proven to be an exceptionally challenging test for players, highlighted by Rory McIlroy's difficult opening round where he scored a 74 after battling the course's notorious thick rough and demanding layout. McIlroy showed some promise early with strong driving distances but struggled significantly on the back nine, reflecting Oakmont's reputation as one of the toughest courses in golf, with very few players historically finishing under par. The rough has been made even more punishing this year, with the elimination of graduated cut areas and an increase in uniform rough height to five inches, making precision off the tee crucial. Golf legends like Tiger Woods, who is sidelined due to injury, have described the course as "horrible" but believe it favors longer hitters like McIlroy and defending champion Bryson DeChambeau. McIlroy himself has acknowledged the difficulty of the course, emphasizing patience and strategy over aggressive play, while Bryson DeChambeau calls Oakmont the "toughest golf course in the world right now." This combination of brutal conditions and strategic demands underscores why Oakmont is considered the "Ultimate Examination of Championship Golf."