Rory McIlroy makes ‘concerning’ admission ahead of US Open after disappointing RBC Canadian Open

Northern Irish golfer Rory McIlroy competed in the 2025 RBC Canadian Open, but failed to make the cut into the third round. After his disappointing finish, he admitted that he would like to perform better in the upcoming US Open.

McIlroy has had a great season so far, with three PGA Tour victories and five top-10 finishes. The highlight of his year was his victory at the 2025 Masters Tournament, which was the final trophy he needed to secure a career Grand Slam.

However, since his victory at Augusta National, the Holywood-born golfer has struggled to regain his momentum on the course. First, he struggled at the PGA Championship, where he finished at T47, and then at the RBC Canadian Open. When asked if his result at TPC Toronto was concerning to him, McIlroy said (via ASAP Sports):

“Yeah, of course it concerns me. You don't want to shoot high scores like the one I did today. Still, I felt like I came here obviously with a new driver thinking that that sort of was going to be good and solve some of the problems off the tee, but it didn't."

Rory McIlroy stated that for the upcoming US Open at Oakmont Country Club, his shots have to hit the fairways for him to have a fighting chance. He also noted that he’s still searching for the “missing piece off the tee,” in terms of a new driver.

When asked about how he plans to improve his game ahead of the major tournament, the 36-year-old golfer said that he intends to test more drivers over the weekend. In addition to that, he also plans to practice more to get a better idea of where his game is before the tournament kicks off at Oakmont.

A look at Rory McIlroy’s performance in the 2025 RBC Canadian Open

Rory McIlroy at the 2025 RBC Canadian Open, Second Round - Image Source: Imagn

Rory McIlroy opened his first round at TPC Toronto with two bogeys on the back nine and a birdie on the par-5 18th. On the front nine, he shot two consecutive birdies on the first and second holes and made par on his next five holes. However, he closed on a bad note with two consecutive bogeys on the eighth and ninth holes to card 1-over 71.

On day two, McIlroy fared even worse. He made par on his first four holes but shot a crippling quadruple bogey on the par-4 fifth hole and a bogey on the eighth. He started the back nine with another unfortunate bogey on the 10th and a double bogey on the par-3 11th. Two more bogeys and two birdies later, he carded 8-over 78, bringing his total across 36 holes to 9-over 149.

At the end of the day, Rory McIlroy landed in 149th position. Notably, Cameron Champ currently holds a solo lead in the RBC Canadian Open with 12-under 128.

About the author

Sarah Rishama Madaki is a dedicated Golf Writer at Sportskeeda with a passion for bringing fresh perspectives to the world of sports journalism. With five years of professional experience as a content writer and strategist, she has worked with global brands across diverse industries, including stints at Soot Africa, TWU, Ink Different Hub, and Attrock.

A devoted fan of golf, Sarah stays updated on the sport through platforms like ESPN, SS Golf, and esteemed publications such as Golf Digest and Golf.com. She combines her knowledge of the game with an ability to understand audience preferences, crafting stories that resonate deeply with readers.

Sarah credits Tiger Woods as her inspiration for entering the world of golf. His resilience, innovative contributions to the game, and achievements motivate her to push boundaries in her career.

Beyond golf, Sarah is an avid NFL enthusiast cheering for the Kansas City Chiefs, a fiction novel lover, and a budding gardener. She aspires to one day cover historic events like The Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, bringing fans closer to the heart of the action.

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Edited by Pratham K Sharma