June 12, 2025 – Oakmont, PA — Fresh from tying the PGA scoring record, Rory McIlroy hit a few early bumps at Oakmont today. After a promising start in the challenging US Open, he bogeyed three of his final four holes—including a costly drop on the 16th and again at 18—a stumble that underscored the rustic toughness of this course.
A Rollercoaster Debut Round
- McIlroy’s round reflected Oakmont’s brutality: strong shots overshadowed by punishing rough and lightning-fast greens—enough to leave even elite golfers “bogeying three of the final four.”
- He described the course as “probably the hardest golf course that we’ll play—maybe ever,” and called patience his best ally here.
How to Watch the US Open
TV Schedule:
- Thursday (Round 1): USA Network from 6:30 am ET; Peacock takes over from 5 pm ET.
- Friday: Full Peacock coverage until NBC joins at 1 pm ET.
- Weekend: USA handles mornings; NBC takes the reins from noon on Saturday and Sunday.
Featured Groupings to Follow:
- Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry & Justin Rose tee off at 7:40 am ET.
- Xander Schauffele, Bryson DeChambeau & José Luis Ballester at 7:29 am ET.
- Scottie Scheffler, Viktor Hovland & Collin Morikawa go at 1:25 pm ET.
Streaming Options: Peacock offers extensive coverage including featured groups via USOpen.com and the USGA app.
What to Watch This Week
- Scoring Reality: Oakmont’s difficulty means even top golfers may flirt with par—don’t expect low rounds.
- Second-Round Bounceback: With scores tight, resilient play could vault Rory and others back into contention.
- Underdogs & Storylines: Keep an eye on Ludvig Åberg and Georgia’s Tyler Weaver—local interest and rising talent — and seasoned devotees like Phil Mickelson in possibly his final Open appearance.
In summary: McIlroy’s stumbles in Round 1 show just how ruthless Oakmont can be. But with live coverage across USA Network, NBC, and Peacock, fans can follow every swing—be it redemption or disaster.
Information from Yahoo Sports’ recap of McIlroy’s bogeys & Aberg’s lead, Golfweek’s preview of McIlroy’s mindset, Dawgs on Tour’s detailed tee times and viewing guide, and CBSSports’ tee-time pairings was used in this article.
