Rory McIlroy gives U.S. Open verdict as footage emerges of Masters champion daggering heckler

Rory McIlroy says he plans to play more links golf with his time off after Shinnecock Hills "won the battle over me" at the 2026 U.S. Open. 

McIlroy, 37, went into the third men's major of the year in New York hoping to win a first U.S. Open title in 15 years. 

The Masters champion was in contention after 27 holes but a rocky Saturday afternoon ended his challenge for the gold medal. 

McIlroy ultimately finished on a score of six-over in a share of 32nd alongside a group of six others that included Dustin Johnson and Keegan Bradley. 

"I think it won the battle over me at this point," the world number two said. 

"I think looking back on the entire week, I'll obviously rue the back nine yesterday. 

"I got myself to two-under par for the tournament after nine yesterday, and then the wheels came off and played a really bad back nine. 

"I sort of shot myself out of the tournament then. Obviously was really disappointed coming away from the course last night.

"You try to come out here today positive and you try to muster up the energy to put a good one in there, but a couple of bogeys on the front nine, I was just trying to race my way to the 18th green"

The world number two is skipping next week's signature event on the PGA Tour and plans to play some links golf back in the United Kingdom.

He will head to The Renaissance Club next month for the Genesis Scottish Open ahead of the Open at Royal Birkdale.

"It's my favourite time of the year to go back home and play, play the Open, and I get to spend a bit of time back there," he added.

"This was not too dissimilar to an Open Championship in terms of how the golf course started to play over the weekend. 

"But a bit of links golf over the next couple weeks will be nice."

Elsewhere, for the second time in 10 months a major golf tournament was played in New York amid ugly scenes from outside the gallery ropes. 

U.S. Open champion Wyndham Clark was targeted by hecklers during the final round. 

NBC reported that police removed several hecklers who were targeting the American golfer. 

The Long Island crowd could be heard shouting, "Get in the bunker!" multiple times after Clark hit. 

There were multiple comments directed towards Clark about his outburst of anger inside the Oakmont locker room 12 months ago. 

It appears McIlroy, who was on the receiving end of a barrage of verbale abuse at the Ryder Cup last September at Bethpage Black, was targeted again.

Footage has emerged of a spectator screaming "get in the bunker, bunker, I hope you live there today" after McIlroy hit a tee shot.

McIlroy could be seen making a gesture about the size of the fan's belly as he walked off the tee box. 

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