Rory McIlroy Officially Disqualified from 2025 U.S. Open After Dramatic Collapse

Oakmont, Pennsylvania, June 15, 2025 – The U.S. Open Championship has taken a stunning turn as Rory McIlroy has been officially disqualified following a dramatic decline in performance during the final round at Oakmont Country Club. The announcement, confirmed by the USGA just moments ago at 3:46 PM local time, ends McIlroy’s tournament on a sour note, capping a rollercoaster week marked by his earlier accusations against J.J. Spaun. With the leaderboard now wide open and Sam Burns closing in on the title, this disqualification has left golf fans reeling as the championship concludes this Sunday afternoon.

The disqualification stems from a series of rule breaches during the fourth round, where McIlroy, already struggling at 13-over after a third-round 76, imploded with a series of costly errors. Officials cited multiple violations, including an incorrect drop on the 7th hole and signing an inaccurate scorecard, breaches of Rules 14.7 and 6.7b respectively. The Northern Irish star, who entered the day nine strokes behind leader Sam Burns, saw his round unravel with a triple bogey on the 12th, prompting a review that led to his immediate removal. This marks a rare exit for McIlroy, whose last disqualification came at the 2016 BMW PGA Championship.

The backdrop to this collapse is McIlroy’s contentious week, beginning with his accusation that Spaun used illegal technology, a claim that triggered a 5-stroke penalty for Spaun on Friday. While that move initially bolstered McIlroy’s narrative, his own performance deteriorated, with a second-round 73 and a third-round 76 exposing his struggle with Oakmont’s brutal rough. Fans on social media are abuzz, with some lamenting—“Rory’s downfall is heartbreaking!”—while others suggest karma, given his role in Spaun’s penalty. Spaun, now at 3-over after the adjustment, finished tied for 12th, his tournament salvaged despite the controversy.

The leaderboard reflects the chaos, with Sam Burns leading at 1-under after a steady 70, poised to claim his first major. Viktor Hovland sits second at even-par, while Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau, at 4-over and 10-over respectively, faded late. McIlroy’s exit hands Burns a clear path, though the USGA’s strict enforcement—echoing Dustin Johnson’s 2016 scrutiny—has reignited debates about consistency. McIlroy has yet to comment, but his team is expected to issue a statement, potentially appealing the decision.

This disqualification caps a tumultuous U.S. Open, shifting focus from McIlroy’s potential redemption—after a decade without a major—to his vulnerability under pressure. Was this a fair ruling, or an overreaction to a faltering champion? As Oakmont’s final putts drop this afternoon, golf fans worldwide are left to ponder the implications for McIlroy’s legacy and the sport’s integrity in this dramatic 2025 championship conclusion.