No mood for talking as McIlroy and Lowry undone by fearsome Oakmont

“The most demanding golf course I've ever played, and I've played Royal Lytham,” said Robert MacIntyre

OPENING ROUND: Good pals Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry will lean on each other in hopes for a better second round . Pic: Patrick Smith/Getty Images

Back to the quiet contemplation, then. Oakmont will do that to you.

Neither Rory McIlroy nor Shane Lowry made their way into the interview tent after their Thursday morning openers at the US Open left both facing an early close. Both Irishmen have had their issues with post-round media duties in recent months but the silent treatment in Pittsburgh was a little more explainable. Perhaps even expected once you looked at their scores.