Hank Haney, the former coach of Tiger Woods, provided his thoughts on Rory McIlroy’s surprising tee marker smash during the 2025 US Open. McIlroy completed the second round of the tournament held in the United States, successfully making it past the cutline set at 7 over par. Haney’s analysis offered insight into McIlroy’s performance on that particular shot, drawing attention to the event‘s emotional intensity.
Details of Rory McIlroy’s Tee Marker Incident at the US Open
During the second round of the 2025 US Open, Rory McIlroy displayed visible frustration after a tee shot that did not go as planned, leading him to strike his club against the tee marker. The moment was captured in a video shared on June 14 by an X user named Kyle Porter. Haney later reposted the clip, commenting on the shot’s quality despite McIlroy’s reaction.
“That wasn’t a bad tee shot.”
—Hank Haney, Former Coach of Tiger Woods
By the end of the second round, McIlroy was tied for 45th place at 6 over par. His rounds included a 74 on the first day, highlighted by two birdies on the back nine, and a 72 on the second day, featuring birdies on both the front and back nine. Despite the frustration shown during the tee marker incident, McIlroy remained in contention as the tournament progressed.
Reflecting on Rory McIlroy’s Past US Open Victory and His Recent Performance
McIlroy’s history at the US Open includes a major win in 2011 at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland. After clinching that title, he spoke at the post-tournament press conference about the magnitude of his achievement and the journey ahead. His comments underscored his appreciation for joining an elite group of champions.
“It will probably take a little bit of time to sink in. But just to sit here, knowing that I’ve just won that trophy and following in the footsteps of one of my best friends, Graeme McDowell, last year at Pebble, you know, it’s a great feeling. And I got my first Major Championship out of the way quite early on in my career, especially after what’s happened the last couple of months. It feels great.”
—Rory McIlroy, 2011 US Open Champion
He continued, “And just looking forward to putting myself in the picture for hopefully many more…I think yesterday was a big day for me to get over that, playing in the last group, going out with the lead. To play such solid golf, that gave me a lot of confidence going into today.”
—Rory McIlroy, 2011 US Open Champion
McIlroy’s winning score in 2011 was 16 under par, with strong rounds of 65, 66, 68, and 69 that featured multiple birdies and an eagle. His solid play established him as a major force early in his career.
While McIlroy has experienced success at the US Open, his most recent outing last year ended just short of victory. He finished one stroke behind LIV golfer Bryson DeChambeau, who took the 2024 title at 6 under par.
Significance of Tiger Woods Analysis of Rory McIlroy US Open Shot
Hank Haney’s commentary, influenced by his time coaching Tiger Woods, sheds light on the high standards and pressures faced by elite golfers like Rory McIlroy during majors. Despite McIlroy’s visible frustration with his tee shot, Haney’s assessment suggests that the shot quality was not poor, highlighting the mental battles involved in championship play. McIlroy’s resilience, demonstrated by making the cut and maintaining a competitive position, reflects his ongoing determination to add more major titles to his career.
As the 2025 US Open continues, McIlroy’s experience and past triumphs, combined with the insights from notable figures such as Haney, provide fans with a deeper understanding of the challenges faced on golf’s biggest stages. The event remains a critical opportunity for McIlroy to rewrite his narrative and pursue further success.