Rory McIlroy's US Open campaign at Oakmont began with promise but descended into catastrophe as the Northern Irishman collapsed from two-under par to finish with a four-over 74, leaving him eight shots adrift of early leader JJ Spaun.

The Masters champion's dramatic unravelling came on his back nine, where he dropped six shots including a devastating double-bogey at the par-three eighth hole.

And as the media gathered to speak to the 36-year-old, he stormed straight past and refused interviews - just like he had at the PGA Championship.

After reaching the turn bogey-free and within touching distance of the lead, McIlroy's round disintegrated spectacularly with four bogeys and a double in his closing nine holes.

Rory McIlroy had a rotten first day at the US Open as he looks to follow up his Masters win

The world number two's struggles left him trailing American Spaun, who carded a bogey-free 66 to set the early pace at four-under par.

McIlroy had started his round on the 10th tee with genuine optimism, rolling in a 30-foot birdie putt on the 11th before adding another at the par-five 12th.

His 392-yard drive on the 12th was his longest of the season, validating his decision to revert to the TaylorMade Qi10 driver after recent equipment struggles.

The 36-year-old reached the turn in 33 strokes, bogey-free and demonstrating the form that secured his Masters triumph in April.

Despite hitting only two fairways through his opening nine holes, McIlroy showed impressive scrambling ability to maintain his position near the top of the leaderboard.

His composed start suggested a player ready to contend at Oakmont's notoriously challenging layout.

McIlroy's troubles began immediately at the first hole, where he three-putted from 40 feet despite a booming 378-yard drive.

The par-five fourth proved disastrous after an errant tee shot found thick rough.

Ignoring caddie Harry Diamond's advice to take a penalty drop, McIlroy attempted to hack out but barely advanced the ball into a grassy bunker face.

His third shot travelled just 15 yards before he eventually holed a 32-footer for bogey.

Rory McIlroy refused to speak to media after his horror day

Further dropped shots followed at the sixth and seventh, where he three-putted again after initially selecting a three-wood before switching to driver.

The final blow came at the 278-yard eighth, where his three-wood tee shot found thick rough and a duffed chip led to double-bogey.

McIlroy's post-round behaviour continued a troubling pattern as he refused to speak to media for the fifth consecutive major round, walking straight past waiting journalists with what one observer described as "a face like thunder".

The Northern Irishman's struggles were mirrored by playing partner Shane Lowry, who carded a 79 despite an eagle from the fairway at the third.

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McIlroy hits his LONGEST drive of the season ‼️

A MONSTER 392-yard drive sets him up for eagle ???? pic.twitter.com/s1IDJN7wGQ

— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) June 12, 2025

Justin Rose completed the group's misery with a 77, their combined 20-over total highlighting Oakmont's brutal challenge.

Even world number one Scottie Scheffler found the conditions testing, managing only 11 greens in regulation during his three-over 73.

Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau also laboured to 73, describing conditions as "brutal".