Rory McIlroy got a flavor for the test that players will face when the U.S. Open tees off at Oakmont this week, with the Masters champion falling victim to the brutish conditions

Rory McIlroy learned plenty on his Oakmont reconnaissance mission(Image: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Rory McIlroy endured a chastening experience as he stopped by Oakmont on Monday for a U.S. Open scouting trip, with the course living up to its fearsome reputation.

The brutal conditions at Oakmont have dominated the build-up to next week’s tournament, with players set to encounter thick, juicy rough and rapid greens that will put their s𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁s to the ultimate test.

It was wise for Masters champion McIlroy, therefore, to head to Pittsburgh for an early look at how the course is playing. The Northern Irishman has been out of action since a disappointing T47 finish at the PGA Championship last month.

Golf channel pundit Eamon Lynch revealed on Monday that he spoke to McIlroy shortly after his practice round, with the 36-year-old admitting he made a triple bogey at the par-four second hole despite hitting “three good shots.”

McIlroy also revealed that despite his immense power, he had to hit a 3-wood into the absurdly long 298-yard par-three eighth, where he made a bogey.

McIlroy was not the only big name on the property on Monday, with 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott getting in a round to prepare for his 96th consecutive major championship appearance. Despite hitting every fairway on the front nine, the Australian made the turn at three-over-par.

Get ready boys. This is going to be fun. 😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳😳 pic.twitter.com/PHYabybeGg

— Jhonattan Vegas (@JhonattanVegas) June 2, 2025

Jhonnatan Vegas, who led the PGA Championship at the halfway stage last month, was also in town for a practice round, and he shared a picture of the thick rough awaiting players on social media.

U.S. Ryder Cup vice-captain Brandt Snedeker, who came up short in final qualifying on Monday, played in two U.S. Opens at Oakmont, and he gave players a flavor for the grueling challenge that awaits.

“You have to like the fact that 30 percent of the guys are going to hate it, and they’re going to be gone really quickly,” he said. “That golf course is going to drive you crazy. So you need to accept that and realize that everybody’s going to have to deal with the same stuff.

“I’ve played a U.S. Amateur there, I’ve played a couple of Opens there. I kind of know what to expect when you get there. You’re going to have some 3-putts, you’re going to have some great putts that don’t go in, you’re going to look silly a few times around there, and you’re going to pitch out a lot. So that’s part of it.

“So that’s part of the reason why I love playing U.S. Opens, it doesn’t really favor anybody. You’ve got to drive the ball pretty straight, and when you don’t, everybody’s pitching out. Nobody’s hitting it up around those greens, especially at Oakmont. If you put it in the wrong spot there, you’re going to make a big number.”

After skipping the Charles Schwab Challenge and the Memorial Tournament over the past two weeks, McIlroy returns to PGA Tour action on Thursday as he vies to win the Canadian Open for the third time.

McIlroy is set to speak to the media at TPC Toronto for the first time on Wednesday since snubbing reporters for all four days of the PGA Championship.