Royal Birkdale Challenges Leaders in Opening Round of The Open Championship

SOUTHPORT, ENGLAND – JULY 16: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland looks dejected as he finishes his round on the 18th green on day one of the The 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale on July 16, 2026 in Southport, England. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

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SOUTHPORT, England — Morning forecasts suggested light winds might spare Royal Birkdale its typical gale-force challenges, leading some to question if the course’s firm, fast conditions alone would test the field sufficiently. The opening round confirmed the links’ brutality, delivering a demanding debut without the usual coastal winds.

Jackson Suber carded a surprise 5-under 67 to seize the lead, courtesy of an eagle on the par-5 17th hole. Yet scoring remained elusive: just 24 of 156 competitors managed under-par marks, proving Royal Birkdale’s treacherous terrain, not wind, posed the day’s primary obstacle.

Morning players exploited calmer conditions effectively—nine of twelve at 3-under or better started before the afternoon gusts arrived. Daniel Brown and Sungjae Im posted 4-under 66s, while Robert MacIntyre and Bryson DeChambeau matched 3-under 67s, securing commanding early positions.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler (68) trails by three shots after a strong start—four birdies through six holes—but faltered on his final 12. England’s Tommy Fleetwood rallied from an uneven beginning to finish 1-under 69, positioning himself as a local contender. Meanwhile, stars like Rory McIlroy (72) and Matt Fitzpatrick (72) fell into a logjam, battling to recover from subpar opens.

Jordan Spieth, the 2017 Open champion at Royal Birkdale, endured a 3-over 73, with uncharacteristic struggles on the greens disrupting his rhythm. McIlroy’s woes stemmed from a misaligned putter, yielding a string of missed short conversions despite solid ball-striking.

Round 2 begins Thursday with early leaders facing the challenge of sustaining momentum as wind forecasts predict worsening conditions. A low round from the morning flight could catalyze a dramatic leaderboard reshuffle before the weekend concludes.

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