Rory McIlroy is among the big names with work to do at Oakmont after a bruising opening round at the US Open.The Northern Irishman made a confident start to his bid for a sixth major but came home in 41 to card a opening round of 74 and sit eight shots off the lead set by JJ Spaun at four-under par.

Rory McIlroy's New Personal Record at US Open Is Turning Heads originally appeared on Athlon Sports. It has been quite a stretch for Rory McIlroy in recent weeks, mostly filled with lows for the PGA Tour star ahead of the U.S. Open. If McIlroy's start at Oakmont is any indication, things could be turning around for the golfer.

While he had a furious start at Oakmont, at least when it came to the first nine holes, McIlroy experienced a huge slump over the next nine holes. Rory experienced disaster on the par-5 fourth hole. Namely, Rory was trying to find a solution for Oakmont rough, and despite a long putt of 10 meters for bogey, McIlroy was already shaken.

Welcome to Rory’s world, always a rather complicated and sometimes turbulent ride.

Rory McIlroy disclosed what he shot during a practice round at Oakmont ahead of the U.S. Open, and its 'Toughest Test in Golf' title seems to hold.

Heading into the U.S. Open this week, Rory McIlroy has been disabused of any notion that life once he completed the career Grand Slam with that win at the Masters would be smooth sailing.

A dismal back nine was Rory McIlroy’s undoing as he got off to a slow start at the US Open on Thursday, opening his Oakmont campaign with a +4 finish.His score sat at a competitive -2 come the end of the front nine,

Rory McIlroy did not take missing the cut at the RBC Canadian Open lightly, as he expressed his concerns about his game ahead the upcoming US Open.