Rory McIlroy made a couple early birdies at the U.S. Open. That encouraging start was short lived for the slumping Masters champion. A poor second nine left McIlroy with a 4-over 74 in Thursday's first round at Oakmont.

OAKMONT, Pa. — After a sparkling opening nine holes, Rory McIlroy posted his first bogey of the U.S. Open and made a beeline across the concrete bridge that spans the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Not a soul was within 15 feet. Cars and 18-wheelers whizzed below, and with plenty of golf left to play, two questions still hung overhead:

Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau opened the 2025 U.S. Open as many anticipated: on the first page of the leaderboard. Unfortunately, their success only lasted approximately nine holes each as they took advantage of great scoring opportunities early at Oakmont only to eject on their paths into the clubhouse to sign their first-round scorecards.