The Open 2026: Rory McIlroy Slow Start, Suber Leads at Birkdale 2026

The Open 2026 got underway at Royal Birkdale with Rory McIlroy making a slow start while Suber surged to an early lead. Golf fans were treated to an exciting first round full of surprises and dramatic shifts on the leaderboard.

Rory McIlroy's Opening Round Struggles

Rory McIlroy carded an opening round of 72, leaving him five shots off the pace. Despite driving the ball incredibly well, the four-time major winner struggled with the speed of the greens. "I drove the ball incredibly well. I took the golf course on off the tee," McIlroy said after his round. "Obviously with the positions that I put myself in off the tee, I feel like I obviously should have shot a better score."

The Northern Irishman birdied the 13th, 15th, and 18th holes on the back nine but was undone by bogeys on both par-5s. He noted the greens were "very inconsistent" and that he struggled to adjust to their pace early on. Despite the frustrations, McIlroy remained optimistic: "Not too far away. Hopefully we'll get the better conditions tomorrow and maybe the greens are a little bit smoother in the morning."

Suber Shocks the Field at Birkdale

The biggest story of the day was the unexpected rise of Suber, a player with minimal links golf experience who shot a stunning 5-under 65 to take the clubhouse lead. Suber's performance defied the conventional wisdom that links experience is essential at The Open. His round included precise iron play and a hot putter that left the Birkdale galleries buzzing.

Behind Suber, a packed leaderboard includes Im and Brown at 4-under, while a group of nine players including Bryson DeChambeau, Francesco Molinari, and Robert MacIntyre sit at 3-under. DeChambeau, known for his power game, said after his round: "I'm having a lot of fun. If I can keep it going and give the crowd something to cheer for on Sunday, that's all I can ask for."

First Round Leaderboard Comparison

Key Takeaways from Round One

• Suber's surprise lead proves that form and confidence can trump course experience at The Open.
• Rory McIlroy remains within striking distance despite a slow start, thanks to excellent driving.
• Bryson DeChambeau is in contention after a solid 3-under round, experimenting with putters afterward.
• Links golf continues to produce unpredictable leaders, with several first-time contenders near the top.

As the sun set on Birkdale, the stage is set for a dramatic second round. McIlroy plans to focus on positives and avoid overanalyzing his performance. "I'm not going to go back to the house and analyze it too much tonight," he said. "Again, focus on the positives – drove the ball very, very well, hit some really good shots. I made too many sloppy mistakes and just need to cut those out."

With the leaderboard packed and weather conditions expected to shift, the 2026 Open Championship is shaping up to be a classic. Can Suber maintain his lead, or will experienced champions like McIlroy and DeChambeau mount a charge? Join us tomorrow for full coverage from Royal Birkdale.

FAQ