Playing some of his best golf in two years, Rory McIlroy was a huge favorite to be in the mix or the 2016 U.S. Open title this week at Oakmont Country Club.
After battling the weather and himself, McIlroy finds himself on the outside looking in thanks to a heartbreaking scenario on the final hole in the second round that cost him a chance to keep playing.
Coming into Saturday at 7-over, McIlroy got back on track by getting a birdie on four of the first six holes.
.@McIlroyRory makes par the hard way. #USOpen https://t.co/1G8HMKQLCH
— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 18, 2016
However, a double bogey on the 12th hole pushed him right back into the danger zone. By the time he reached the 18th, he was 6-over and at the cut line. Rory caught bunker on his drive and was unable to get out on his second hit. His third shot was a chip back onto the green and by the time he sunk the ball he had another double bogey to his day.
With that the 2011 U.S. Open champion cost himself the chance to move forward on the weekend, missing the cut by two strokes. It’s the first time McIlroy missed the cut in a major since the 2013 British Open and the first time he’s missed a U.S. Open cut since 2012.
Rory McIlroy declines comment after the round.
— Jason Sobel (@JasonSobelGolf) June 18, 2016
Rory wasn’t the only highly-ranked golfer to face testing moments this weekend. Plenty of the world’s top players also didn’t making it out of the second round at Oakmont. Rickie Fowler, Phil Mickelson and Justin Rose also missed the cut in a trying last few days for some of the world’s best golfers.
Dustin Johnson is the current leader as of Saturday a 5-over par.
