Paul McGinley reckons something is eating at Rory McIlroy and he needs a break. The career Grand Slam star has endured a miserable US Open week and has looked out of sorts since his epic Masters triumph at Augusta.

The Rory McIlroy we’ve seen of late is not the same person media and fans have made an investment in caring about, in good times and bad.

Rory McIlroy has been branded 'arrogant' and 'unlikable' by a number of golf fans, after the Northern Irishman finally spoke to the media at the US Open on Saturday

McIlroy opted to take a penalty stroke and a drop, leading to a bogey and capping off a 2-over 37 on the front nine. And of course, the USGA took the opportunity to educate you at home about what to do if you find yourself in the same position as the 2025 Masters champion.

Five-time major winner Rory McIlroy had a disappointing first round at the US Open and got off to an even worse start in the second.

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.