Rory McIlroy entered golf royalty when he finally captured the Green Jacket and completed the career Grand Slam at the 2025 Masters. The stellar Northern Irishman elevated his place in sports history even further after repeating at Augusta. Now, amid an already historic 14-month stretch, He has a chance to significantly boost his legacy once more. McIlroy was making a push on Moving Day at the US Open, creating a minor stir at Shinnecock Hills. But it was a rather brief one.
The six-time major champion, who entered Round 3 at even-par, birded holes 5-7 after tallying a bogey on the third. His surge was short-lived, however, as he stumbled on the early potion of the back-nine. McIlroy bogeyed the 10th and 12th and narrowly/cruelly missed a birdie opportunity on the 13th. He brutally made another misstep on the 14th and now sits seven strokes behind leader Wyndham Clark.
With his elite driving ability, the world No. 2 has a chance to make a run at almost any tournament. He is also teeming with confidence after retaining his Masters crown and earning a top-10 finish at the PGA Championship in May. However, the conditions at this Long Island, New York golf course are not conducive to a huge comeback.
Therefore, Rory McIlroy will need to give himself a realistic chance at Father’s Day glory. He still has a few holes to cut into the deficit and inch closer toward the top of the leaderboard before Saturday’s end.
Regardless of the outcome, this man has already left an indelible mark on the 2026 season.
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