Wild tee shots and media boycotts: The pride of Northern Ireland is acting oiut of character after finally winning the Masters.

In the week before the U.S. Open, Rory McIlroy revealed he played Oakmont Country Club and shot an 81 - which would be 11-over in tournament conditions. “Last Monday felt impossible. I birdied the last two holes for 81,

Rory McIlroy is not having a good time as he is among the U.S. Open victims battling the carnage at Oakmont Country Club and a tee time this weekend.

The Masters champion said he had been struggling to find motivation and in his second round at Oakmont showed frustration, but made it to the weekend.

The U.S. Open is as much a mental test as it is physical. Still, the rules violation Shane Lowry found himself in Friday afternoon at Oakmont was so absurd that he and Rory McIlroy could only laugh at it.

Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, Nos. 1 and 2 in the Official World Golf Ranking, respectively, will be competing in the Travelers Championship. Scheffler is the defending champion, having defeated Tom Kim in a playoff following a climate protest during the final hole of regulation.

Rory McIlroy is still alive in the U.S. Open after sneaking inside the cut thanks to two late birdies, but the five-time major champion once again avoided speaking to the media