The 2026 Open Championship is underway, and already, the drama is unfolding. Rory McIlroy, a familiar face at the top of the leaderboard, is facing a familiar challenge: his inability to make putts. This isn't a new issue for McIlroy, who has struggled with short putts in major championships over the past decade. In the first round, he missed six putts from inside 12 feet, including a 2 1/2-footer on No. 16 and a miss from inside 4 feet on No. 18. This performance has left him seven shots back of the lead, a significant deficit to overcome.
What makes McIlroy's situation even more intriguing is the contrast with his recent success. He won the Masters in 2025 and 2026, silencing any lingering doubts about his ability to perform in the big moments. However, outside of the Masters, McIlroy hasn't won one of golf's other three majors since 2014. His U.S. Open meltdown in 2024, where he lost by one shot to Bryson DeChambeau, is a stark reminder of his struggles in these high-pressure situations.
Speaking of DeChambeau, he is making a strong comeback. After missing the cut in each of the first three majors this year, DeChambeau finally looks like he'll have a weekend tee time. He shared the lead with Scottie Scheffler until he made a bogey on his final hole, posting a 3-under 67 to best the world No. 1 by one shot. Scheffler, despite shooting two-under par and sitting inside the top 20, knows he can score better. He had a torrid start, making birdie on four of his first six holes, but stalled after that, making two bogeys and no birdies the rest of the way.
The leaderboard is a fascinating mix of some of the world's best, like Scheffler, DeChambeau, and Cameron Young, and some lesser-known players, like Jackson Suber, Daniel Brown, Pierceson Coody, and Alex Smalley. Suber, in particular, is a rising star. He qualified for The Open by finishing tied for fourth at the RBC Canadian Open and put together the low round of the day at Royal Birkdale, gaining over six strokes on the field. He holds a one-shot lead over Daniel Brown and Sungjae Im, who shot matching 66s. Suber's strong year on the PGA Tour, with four top-20 finishes since May, makes him a player to watch.
The 2026 Open Championship is shaping up to be a thrilling event with plenty of storylines and intrigue. McIlroy's putt struggles, DeChambeau's comeback, and Suber's quiet rise all add to the excitement. As the tournament progresses, we can expect more surprises and dramatic moments, making it a must-watch for golf fans worldwide.
