Defending US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau shockingly missed the cut for the US Open this weekend, while Rory McIlroy scraped through despite launching his club and smashing the tee box in anger.
The top seeds have struggled this year at Oakmont.
DeChambeau was one of the tournament's largest scalps, missing the cut after finishing 10-over par through 36 holes.
The American's collapse marks only the third time he has failed to make the weekend at the US Open in 11 appearances.
His first missed cut at the championship since 2017 comes just one year after his euphoric victory at the 2024 tournament.
Both of DeChambeau's major championship victories came at the US Open in 2020 and 2024, making this collapse all the more shocking for the defending champion.
DeChambeau's troubles began early in his second round, bogeying four of the first seven holes and recording a double-bogey on the fifth.
His round concluded with another double-bogey as he struggled to find any rhythm on the demanding Oakmont layout.
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The collapse came despite pre-tournament confidence from DeChambeau, who had promised to play "fearlessly" with his driver: "I'm going to be as fearless as I can possibly be out there; I know that."
After his opening round of 73, he acknowledged the course's difficulty, stating: "This golf course can come up and get you pretty quick... it got me, and I wasn't fully on my game."
He later described conditions as "a brutal test of golf."
McIlroy narrowly avoided joining DeChambeau on the sidelines after a dramatic second round that saw him flirt with elimination before scraping through on six-over par.
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The Masters champion endured a nightmare start, recording two double-bogeys in his first three holes on Friday.
McIlroy's wayward drive at the first hole left him taking four shots to reach the green, resulting in an opening double-bogey.
Another double-bogey followed at the par-four third, dropping him dangerously close to the cut line.
The Northern Irishman battled back with birdies at the ninth and 15th holes before crucially rolling in a birdie on the 18th to secure his weekend spot.
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His two-over 72 left him nine strokes behind halfway leader Sam Burns.
McIlroy's frustrations boiled over during his difficult round, with multiple angry outbursts witnessed by spectators and television viewers.
The 36-year-old flung his club in anger after a wayward approach shot on the 12th hole.
His temper flared again on the 17th tee, where he smashed the tee box after an unsatisfactory drive.
The Sky Sports commentator remarked: "Oh wow. Frustration once again boils over. He's not himself right now."
The Northern Irishman's behaviour drew criticism from fans on social media, with one viewer suggesting: "Time for sanctions for this behaviour. Once per round OK but second means a one shot penalty?"
McIlroy declined to speak with media for the second consecutive day following his round.
Sam Burns leads the championship on three-under par after firing a round-of-the-day 65, holding a one-shot advantage over overnight leader JJ Spaun.
Viktor Hovland sits two strokes back in third place, whilst world number one Scottie Scheffler is positioned on four-over par.
Only three players remain under par in the challenging scoring conditions at Oakmont.
DeChambeau headlined a list of notable exits that included Tommy Fleetwood on nine-over, 2016 US Open champion Dustin Johnson on 10-over, and Shane Lowry on 17-over.
Xander Schauffele also progressed on six-over alongside McIlroy.
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