Something is eating Rory McIlroy. How does a guy go from the pinnacle of professional fulfillment to the petulant, club-throwing, tee marker-smashing anger ball that’s been stomping around Oakmont Country Club the last two days?

McIlroy smashed a tee marker on Oakmont's 17th hole on Friday evening, then birdied his last hole to make the U.S. Open cut with a shot to spare.

Sam Burns held the second round clubhouse lead at the U.S. Open on Friday as overnight leader J.J. Spaun struggled late at Oakmont Country Club while Rory McIlroy was flirting with the cutline and Bryson DeChambeau looked certain to head home early.

A poor second nine left Rory McIlroy with a 4-over 74 in the first round of the U.S. Open at Oakmont. He played his final six holes in 5 over. This U.S.

All three were between seven and eight shots behind the leader, and all were in danger of being cut Friday. The U.S. Open remains golf’s cruelest test.

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 at Oakmont Country Club, barely sneaking past the cutline nine years after he missed the cut the last time the major was held at Oakmont.

Rory McIlroy started off hot in the first round of the U.S. Open on Thursday, but a brutal finish to his round leaves him well off the lead after 18 holes.

Scottie Scheffler opened with a three-over-par 73 that was his worst first-round score relative to par of his majors career.

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.