Rory whimpers as Beast bares its teeth

OAKMONT MAKES THE BIG NAMES SUFFER

- BY JIM BLACK

RORY MCILROY engaged reverse gear on moving day at the US Open yesterday and hit gridlock.

The world No 2 is at his wits’ end after suffering a spectacular collapse in the wake of his Masters win two months ago.

And it quickly became apparent that the 36-year-old was no match for the track nicknamed ‘The Beast’. He toiled to a four-over 74 yesterday as Oakmont once again drove several stars to distraction.

Mcllroy, who batted gamely to card a second round 72 to qualify for the weekend with a shot to spare on six over, had to produce one of the rounds of his life to have any chance of catching halfway leader Sam Burns.

But, needing a lightning-fast start to eat into the American's nine-shot advantage, Mcllroy couldn't conjure up his old magic.

He never looked remotely likely to mount a spectacular comeback and a bogey at the third simply added to the Northern Irishman's frustration.

Seven pars either side of his dropped shot were followed by a second bogey approaching the turn to leave Mcllroy focusing on damage limitation on eight over for the Major.

Even when the golfing gods smiled briefly on him, McIlroy enjoyed no respite when he immediately cancelled out a birdie at 10 before tossing away yet another shot to finish up 10 over.

Asked for his assessment of his US Open so far, he said: "Pretty average."