Will he talk today? Will he not? — was energy wasted Sunday. McIlroy didn’t boycott the press as he’d done after six of his last seven rounds at major championships, the most prominent battle in the surreal press-vs.

Rory McIlroy held his first post-round media session of the U.S. Open after shooting a 4-over 74 in the third round at Oakmont.

Rory McIlroy’s stay in the U.S. Open field nearly lasted just two days. But a birdie on the 18th hole salvaged his second round (2-over) to get him through two days at 6-under and in a tie for 45th at Oakmont Country Club, barely sneaking past the cutline nine years after he missed the cut the last time the major was held at the course.

Five-time major winner Rory McIlroy had a disappointing first round at the US Open and got off to an even worse start in the second.

Rory McIlroy could not contain his frustrations again at the US Open on Sunday. Like many of the favourites, the Northern Irishman has endured a torrid time at Oakmont where the tricky nature of the course has claimed many hopefuls along the way.

OAKMONT, Pa. — It seems like a lifetime ago that Rory McIlroy knelt on all fours at the 18th green at Augusta National sobbing uncontrollably after reaching his ultimate goal of winning the Masters and completing the career Grand Slam.

McIlroy admitted to struggling to come back down and recalibrate after achieving the career Grand Slam when winning the Masters, his form since then a pale imitation of his season up to that point, which had also garnered wins in the Pebble Beach pro-am and The Players.

Rory McIlroy was all smiles in a media interview at the US Open on Sunday after moaning about the media the night before.