But it's worth remembering that, outside of the Masters, McIlroy hasn't won one of golf's other three majors since 2014.He famously let the 2024 U.S.
Open slip away by making three bogeys in the final four holes to lose by one shot to Bryson DeChambeau.The biggest factor in those bogeys was McIlroy's inability to convert short putts, including a missed 2 1/2-footer on No.16 and a miss from inside 4 feet on No.
18.SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER, RORY MCILROY DISCUSS THEIR THOUGHTS ON LEGACY AHEAD OF THE OPEN: 'WE'RE ALL GOING TO DIE'Rory McIlroy reacts after missing a short putt during the first round of the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.(Oisin Keniry/R&A)Well, those woes came back on Thursday during the first round of the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
He missed putts from inside 4 feet on both No.7 and No.
8 before adding a miss from just over 4 feet at No.10.After missing six putts from inside 12 feet on his first 12 holes, McIlroy drained a 23-footer for birdie on No.
13.He gave the shot right back with a sloppy bogey on the par-5 14th hole but then drilled a 12-footer on No.15 for birdie.Unfortunately, he gave that one back with another sloppy bogey on No.
17, the other par 5 at Royal Birkdale.It's not often McIlroy plays the par-5s in two-over, but that's what happened on Thursday.
He missed another putt from inside 12 feet on the 17th, bringing the total to eight for the round, before making a closing birdie on No.18 to finish his roller-coaster round.Ultimately, McIlroy carded a 2-over 72 and sits seven shots back of the lead after 18 holes.
He has his work cut out for him if he plans to make the cut and play the weekend.Open debutant Jackson Suber dazzles with opening-round 65Many people might not be familiar with the 26-year-old American, but they should get familiar.Suber, who qualified for The Open by finishing tied for fourth at the RBC Canadian Open, put together the low round of the day at Royal Birkdale and gained over six strok...