GOLF fans have hit back at claims Rory McIlroy was robbed of the US Open.

That’s after highlighting his “beyond lucky” and “improper” free drop.

McIlroy lost to Wyndham Clark by a single shot at the Los Angeles Country Club on Sunday.

It saw McIlroy miss out on his fifth Major, while Clark scooped his first-ever title.

And some fans reckon the Northern Irishman was hard done by, claiming Clark should have been penalised for appearing to move a ball while setting up a shot on the back nine.

Had he been judged to move it, Clark would have received a two-stroke penalty — giving McIlroy the win.

But some golf fans believe the Ryder Cup ace himself was fortunate to even still be in the hunt for glory.

On the 14th hole, McIlroy was controversially given a free drop after his ball became plugged in grass above the bunker.

A rules official judged it to be sufficient rough grounds for the drop.

And the break meant McIlroy only dropped two shots behind Clark at the time instead of more as he hit a bogey.

Some fans therefore reckon that if Clark should have been punished for appearing to move a ball, McIlroy should definitely have not been given the free drop.

One said: “Totally wrong drop for McIlroy. Improper drop.”

Another declared: “When he took his drop it was clearly more than a club length from where his ball had embedded. Not sure how the USGA officials allowed that?”

One noted: “There’s no way his ball plugged on that angle? What’s his descent angle?”

Nick Dougherty on Sky Sports added at the time: “This is not luck. This is beyond luck.”

Another person said: “Rory McIlroy’s ball was buried, not embedded. What a ridiculous drop.”

One realised: “That was ridiculous drop Rory McIlroy was given by the rules official for an embedded ball in the face of the bunker. He deserved the bogey he made.”

Another yelped: “How does Rory Mcilroy get a free drop because his ball is stuck in a bunker? DONT HIT IT IN THE BUNKER??? WHO COMES UP WITH THESE RULES?”

One added: “Funny how it’s the guys who have never broken 110 that are suddenly rules experts. McIlroy’s ball was embedded. It’s a free drop. Them’s the rules.”