Rory McIlroy Digs Deep Hole After 6-over Round 1 at US Open 2017

In some years, Rory McIlroy's six-over first round wouldn't be a deal-breaker. A couple of good rounds in a row, and McIlroy could have been working his way back into contention by Sunday. 

But with the field going low on a favorable Erin Hills course, McIlroy will likely need a well-under-par score on Friday just to make the cut. McIlroy sits in a tie for 145th place after carding an ugly 78 on the par-72 course. He's 13 strokes behind Rickie Fowler, who is currently one stroke ahead with players still on the course. 

Save for an eagle on the par-four second, McIlroy shot his worst round of the season and fell apart on the back nine. He finished the round with four bogeys and a pair of doubles without a birdie, ranking near the bottom in every statistical category in the field. Only six golfers shot worse rounds overall.

McIlroy hit just five of 14 fairways, nine of 18 greens in regulation and needed 32 putts to get through the round. His back nine was nothing short of a mess, featuring bogeys on Nos. 11 and 13 and doubles on Nos. 15 and 17. 

Pundit Arena pointed out some of Rory's struggles:

McIlroy's inability to hit fairways Thursday is ironic given the verbal weight he was throwing around leading into the tournament. The former world No. 1 bemoaned the USGA's decision to cut down the rough following inclement weather and player complaints, telling reporters guys complaining "might as well pack your bags and go home."

"We have 60 yards from the left line (of the fairway) to the right," McIlroy said. "These are the widest fairways we've ever played in a U.S. Open. Even the first and second cut is another 10 yards on top of that.

"I get that it's thick and whatever, but it's a hazard. It's a U.S. Open; it's supposed to be a tough test. And if guys can't put it into play within a 50-yard zone, I don't think they've got much to complain about."

As it stands, nearly everyone in the field did a better job of hitting the fairways than McIlroy, and he was actually the beneficiary of the shortened rough. 

McIlroy has missed the cut in two of his last four majors, including the 2016 U.S. Open. He's finished outside the top 20 five times at the event and has done no better than a tie for ninth since winning it 2011. Overall, McIlroy could wind up having as many missed cuts (three) as top-10 finishes at the U.S. Open by the weekend.

With Jordan Spieth (+1), Hideki Matsuyama (+2), Dustin Johnson (+3) and Jason Day (+7) all having miserable rounds, it's possible none of the sport's brightest stars will be making it to Saturday. Spieth is the only top-five player currently above the cut line.