Rory McIlroy’s US Open dreams have all but evaporated following a frustrating third round at the championship.The world number two posted a disappointing two-over-par 73, which saw him tumble down the standings to a share of 17th place heading into Sunday’s final round.It’s a bitter pill to swallow for the Northern Irishman, who actually showed promise on the front nine and briefly looked like he might mount a challenge.But everything fell apart after the turn, with a string of bogeys putting paid to any realistic chance of catching Wyndham Clark.Rory McIlroy has had a miserable time at the US Open so far | GETTYThe American leader now holds a commanding six-shot cushion, making McIlroy’s task virtually impossible.His irons and wedges proved to be his undoing throughout the round, with McIlroy failing to find a single green in regulation across his opening five holes.The troubles were painfully evident at the third, where a wayward wedge shot found the greenside bunker and prompted some choice words from the four-time major winner.”Oh just go home, Rory. F** hell!” he muttered to himself after watching the ball land in the sand.He escaped the bunker but then three-putted, adding another bogey to his card after already dropping a shot on the previous hole.”Just go home, Rory” 😡Rory McIlroy was NOT happy after this approach shot 👀 pic.twitter.com/ganjaZ4t4r— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) June 21, 2026 The emotional strain was written all over McIlroy’s face as the round progressed.After dropping his third shot of the day at the fifth, the Northern Irishman was spotted with his head buried in his hands – a picture of total dejection.That bogey came after he missed the fairway left and then overshot the green with his approach on the par-five.He gave himself a chance to salvage par but couldn’t convert an eight-foot putt.It was, quite frankly, brutal to watch.McIlroy now faces an uphill battle just to secure a respectable finish on Sunday.