US Open Golf Results 2012: Breaking Down Biggest Disappointments of Major

As has become tradition at the U.S. Open, the tournament turned into a mental endurance battle. Webb Simpson survived four rounds of golf on one of the country's toughest courses to win the season's second major. Not everybody was nearly as fortunate.

Let's take a look at three golfers who didn't live up to expectations at the Olympic Club. Since it was a major event, the disappointment is magnified. Now they must wait until the Open Championship next month for redemption on one of the sport's biggest stages.

Luke Donald

It's the same old story for Donald. He was playing well going into the event with four consecutive finishes in the top 12, counting both the PGA and European Tours, but he wasn't able to keep it together when it mattered most.

He carded a nine-over 79 in the opening round, which doomed him almost immediately, and didn't do enough on Friday to avoid missing the cut. While his ranking will remain high for a while, it's still hard to consider him the best golfer on the planet without a major.

Making this even more disappointing is the fact the U.S. Open tailors itself to Donald's game. He relies on accuracy off the tee and putting to put him in contention. That should have made him a huge threat, not somebody who failed to make the weekend.

Rory McIlroy

McIlroy cruised past the competition in last year's U.S. Open en route to an eight-stroke victory. His performance this time around was far less impressive. The rising star missed the cut at 10-over par and really seemed to get worn down mentally by the end of Round 2.

Including his play on both tours, it's the fourth time he's missed the cut in his last five starts. To put that in perspective, Tiger Woods has only missed eight cuts in his career. It's those comparisons to Woods that are likely weighing on the Northern Irishman.

Ever since his first major triumph last season, big things are expected from him every week he plays. Until that outlook changes, it will be tough for the inconsistent fan favorite to break out from Woods' shadow and establish his own legacy.

Tiger Woods

Speaking of Tiger, everything went according to plan through the first two rounds. He was tied for the tournament lead and finally discovered a repeatable swing. However, just when it looked like he was ready to assert some dominance, everything fell apart at the weekend.

It wasn't the same type of downfall that fans have become accustomed to over the past few years, though. Instead of his swing deteriorating, it was an issue of distance control and he wasn't able to figure out a solution in time to save his run at major No. 15.

He rarely had a good look at birdie and wasn't able to sink long putts to bail himself out, finishing six strokes off the pace. Based on his recent play, Woods should win a couple more majors, but it's hard to view the U.S. Open as anything but a missed opportunity.