Rory McIlroy shocks U.S. Open press conference attendees: "Didn't even feel like I played that bad"

Rory McIlroy drew audible gasps during his news conference ahead of the 2025 U.S. Open when he revealed what score he shot during a recent reconnaissance trip. 

McIlroy played Oakmont last Monday ahead of the third men's major of the year in Pennsylvania. 

The Northern Irishman, 36, revealed he birdied the final two holes to card an 11-over 81. 

He described the set-up as 'impossible' as the greens were running at 15½ on the stimpmeter. 

"It felt pretty good," McIlroy said with a smile. "It didn't even feel like I played that bad."

McIlroy will play the opening two rounds of this week's championship alongside his European Ryder Cup teammates Shane Lowry and Justin Rose. 

The trio will start round one at 12.40 BST. 

McIlroy trying to find right levels of motivation

As you would expect, McIlroy enjoyed his Masters victory in April. 

He had spent more than a decade chasing the fulfilment of a childhood ambition. 

Many golf pundits, former players and fans expected the unburdened Ulsterman would go on a tear and perhaps contend in the PGA Championship, U.S. Open and The Open before making his sixth Ryder Cup appearance at Bethpage Black. 

He made the cut at the PGA Championship but failed to mount a challenge for the Wanamaker Trophy and missed the cut at the RBC Canadian Open last week. 

Along with his well-documented equipment issues, he has also revealed that he's struggled for motivation. 

"I worked incredibly hard on my game from October last year all the way up until April this year," McIlroy said. 

"It was nice to sort of see the fruits of my labour come to fruition and have everything happen.

"You have to enjoy that. You have to enjoy what you've just accomplished. 

"I certainly feel like I'm still doing that and I will continue to do that. 

"[But] at some point, you have to realise that there's a little bit more golf left to play this season. 

"Weeks like Quail Hollow or even weeks like last week, it makes it easier to reset in some way, to be like, okay, I sort of need to get my stuff together here and get back to the process."

McIlroy not interested in re-opening driver debate

McIlroy was forced into a late equipment switch before the PGA Championship. 

USGA officials informed him his TaylorMade Qi10 driver was deemed non-conforming as the face of the club had become too springy. 

It was later revealed Scottie Scheffler's driver also failed but only McIlroy's name made its way to the media. 

McIlroy said last week in Canada that it annoyed him only his name was in the headlines. 

He said he didn't speak to the media after each of his rounds at the PGA Championship because he was trying to protect the PGA of America, his equipment manufacturer and didn't feel like the Scheffler news was his to share. 

Once again, he was asked about the topic ahead of the U.S. Open. 

Asked how big a factor his driver change impacted his performance at Quail Hollow, McIlroy said: "It wasn't a big deal for Scottie, so it shouldn't have been a big deal for me."

McIlroy was asked to clarify what driver he is using this week. 

"I mean, come out and watch me hit balls and you'll see," he said.