Just a month ago, Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau were engaged in a high-stakes battle for the US Open title under the North Carolina sun. Fast forward to Thursday, and the duo found themselves grappling with the challenging conditions at Royal Troon in Scotland, where their previous duel seemed like a distant memory.
Both players had a tough start at the 152nd Open Championship. DeChambeau, the reigning US Open champion, and McIlroy, the runner-up, struggled with their opening rounds, posting scores of five-over 76 and 78 respectively, which dropped them far from the leaders.
McIlroy, looking to recover from another near-miss at Pinehurst No. 2, began his round well, even-par through the first seven holes. However, his round took a turn for the worse at the notorious “Postage Stamp” eighth hole. Despite appearing to land on the green of the 118-yard par-three, his ball cruelly rolled into a bunker. McIlroy needed two attempts to escape the sand and then narrowly missed a bogey putt. This misfortune was compounded by another double bogey at the 11th hole, where an out-of-bounds drive ended up on the train tracks beside the fairway. He finished his round with additional bogeys at the 15th and 18th holes.
“The course was challenging,” McIlroy admitted. “The wind made conditions very tough, and I didn’t adjust well enough.”
McIlroy’s frustration was palpable, especially after his narrow defeat at the US Open, where he had missed crucial putts to lose by one shot to DeChambeau. Following that painful loss, McIlroy had taken a brief hiatus from the game to cope with what he described as “probably the toughest” day of his career. He returned with a tied-fourth finish at the Scottish Open but now faces an uphill battle to make the cut at the Open Championship.
DeChambeau had a somewhat better day, though he too faced difficulties, including a double bogey on the par-five sixth hole, the longest in championship history. His round featured an impressive 54-foot eagle putt on the 16th hole, which helped him recover from a rough start. Despite trailing Justin Thomas by eight shots—Thomas having shot an impressive three-under 68—DeChambeau remained optimistic.
“I’m proud of how I persevered today,” DeChambeau said. “I could have given up after nine holes, but I’m still in it and looking forward to the challenge.”
Known as “The Scientist” for his experimental approach and use of new technologies, DeChambeau noted that equipment issues had compounded his struggles in the rainy conditions. “The colder, firmer conditions affect how the ball compresses,” he explained. “It was a strange day, but if I can adjust my equipment and make some putts, I’ll be back on track.”
Thomas, meanwhile, demonstrated strong form, making seven birdies and showcasing the skills that earned him the world No. 1 ranking in the past. “I just want to keep playing well,” Thomas said. “Everything is moving in the right direction, and although the results haven’t always reflected that, I’m working on the right things.”
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