McIlroy left to rue Shinnecock stumble after US Open fade

Rory McIlroy ended the US Open at six over par after his title challenge slipped away at Shinnecock Hills. The world number two closed with a 73, with three birdies and four bogeys in his final round.

McIlroy pointed to Saturday’s back nine as the decisive stretch. He had reached two under after nine holes that day, but a run of mistakes left him level par for the round and seven shots behind leader Wyndham Clark.

His own assessment was blunt: the course had got the better of him. That frustration gives editors and readers a familiar major-championship theme to discuss — how quickly control can disappear on a demanding US Open setup.

McIlroy’s next focus shifts back across the Atlantic, with the Scottish Open and The Open at Royal Birkdale listed as his upcoming July targets. The move to links golf may offer a reset after a week he clearly felt had escaped him.