Rory McIlroy squeezed into the weekend at the 2025 US Open by the narrowest of margins, surviving the cut by just one shot after an eventful and emotionally charged second round at Oakmont. The five-time major champion, who completed the career Grand Slam with a historic Masters win in April, carded a six-over-par total after two rounds, enough to sit tied for 45th and avoid an early exit, with the cut falling at +7. However, his on-course behavior during Friday's second round attracted far more attention than his scorecard.

McIlroy arrived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania chasing a sixth major title and his second US Open crown, but his opening round 74 left him on the back foot. Needing a response on Friday, things only got worse early on as he stumbled to two double bogeys in his first three holes. A birdie at the ninth provided some respite, and a steady par at the 10th gave hope of a turnaround. But frustrations soon spilled over. After finding the fairway with a strong tee shot at the par-five 12th, McIlroy pulled his second shot into a thick patch of rough and reacted by angrily launching his club, a moment captured and widely shared on social media. He pulled himself back with a much-needed birdie at the 15th, but another outburst followed on the short par-four 17th. Having pulled his drive left, McIlroy smashed a tee box marker with his club in visible frustration.

Rory has attracted criticism in recent months for refusing to speak to the media after play, but these sorts of meltdowns on course are being viewed even more dimly by fans. While he recovered to save par with a clever chip from the bunker and two-putt finish, McIlroy's tantrums were an even bigger talking point afterwards. Some fans questioned whether there should be consequences for such actions, with one asking: "Is there no penalty for on-course behavior like this?" Another simply labeled his display "a disgrace," while others criticized his temperament, describing him as "a petulant brat when not playing well" and claiming it was "so hard to root for a guy who acts like this."

To his credit, McIlroy showed grit when it mattered. Standing on the edge of elimination, he produced a brilliant birdie on the par-four 18th, nudging him to six-over for the tournament and just inside the cut line. It was a dramatic end to a rollercoaster round, but enough to keep his hopes alive heading into the weekend.

Since his emotional win at Augusta, McIlroy's form has been inconsistent. He followed up with a T7 at the Truist Championship but slumped to T47 at the PGA Championship, before missing his first cut of the season at the RBC Canadian Open. Here's a quick look at his recent results:

Speaking earlier this week, McIlroy reflected on the mental battle following such a major milestone. "It's trying to have a little bit of amnesia and forget about what happened six weeks ago," he said. "Then just trying to find the motivation to go back out there and work as hard as I've been working. You have to enjoy what you've accomplished, and I still am. But there's more golf to be played — Portrush, the Ryder Cup — and I know I need to get back to the process that worked for me from October to April."

As his fiery reactions have divided opinion, McIlroy remains in the fight. With two rounds still to play and plenty of ground to make up, the weekend presents an opportunity to reset and possibly remind everyone why he's still one of golf's greatest talents — even if his temperament is sometimes lacking. Can he channel his frustration into focus and mount a comeback? Only time will tell, but the spotlight will be firmly on him.

In the meantime, the debate rages on: should golf's governing bodies impose stricter penalties for emotional outbursts? Or is such passion simply part of the game's fabric? For McIlroy, the answer may lie in his performance over the next 36 holes. If he can harness his emotions and deliver the kind of golf that won him five majors, the meltdowns may become a footnote. If not, they could define his 2025 US Open — and perhaps his legacy.

One thing is certain: Rory McIlroy remains box office, for better or worse. 🏌️‍♂️