Rory McIlroy endured another very difficult day at the US Open, with his frustrations boiling over at Oakmont.
McIlroy was issued with an Oakmont warning ahead of the US Open, before the Northern Irishman carded an opening round four-over 74.
The Masters champion McIlroy followed that up with a second round 72 to finish on six-under and just about make the cut.
McIlroy has been backed to contend at the US Open, a tournament he won in 2011 at Congressional Country Club.
He is, however, now a long way away from clinching another title this week, which would represent a sixth major win.
Paul McGinley tells Rory McIlroy what to do next after US Open club throw
His focus now turns to the weekend at Oakmont, but Paul McGinley suggested a break for the Northern Irishman after witnessing his club throw during round two of the US Open.
McIlroy launched his club on the 12th fairway after a poor approach shot, with McGinley saying on Sky Sports Golf: “Oh Rory. Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy.
“What can you say about that? We thought that winning a major and winning The Masters was going to unlock him, but it looks like it has burdened him more than anything else.
“We haven’t seen the best of him since. It feels like he needs a break. He won this huge big thing and now he wants to celebrate and be excited.
“Before he could even think about doing that, he had another major championship. His frustration is quite clear and his game is not near where it needs to be.”
Rory McIlroy scoring stats from rounds one and two of US Open at Oakmont
McIlroy certainly wasn’t the only high-profile player to have found difficulty at the challenging Oakmont on days one and two.
In fact, his playing partners Shane Lowry and Justin Rose both missed the cut, with the Irishman enduring similar outbursts to McIlroy.
READ MORE: Paul McGinley suggests why Ludvig Aberg makes ‘big mistakes’ during his second round at the US Open
Lowry’s emotions constantly got the better of him in Pennsylvania, with the 2019 Open Championship winner finishing on 17-over.
Rose meanwhile, champion of the 2013 US Open, finished on 14-over, with both players showing great sportsmanship after their rounds by sharing their delight at McIlroy making the cut.
| Round one | Round two | |
| Birdies | 2 | 3 |
| Pars | 11 | 12 |
| Bogeys | 4 | 1 |
| Double bogeys | 1 | 2 |
The Northern Irishman had the weight of the world on his shoulders as he chased an elusive fifth major win for more than a decade.
That was finally achieved at The Masters earlier this year, which also helped him secure the career grand slam, but he has largely failed to replicate that form since that unforgettable week at Augusta National.
Receive exclusive golf news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
