Scotland's Robert MacIntyre made a strong start to the 2026 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, carding a three-under-par 67 in his first round that he described as "exactly" what he wanted. It marks his first ever competitive round at the course and puts him firmly in contention early in the tournament, which matters given his status as a two-time European Ryder Cup player chasing his first major title.

MacIntyre made four birdies and one bogey, including a 46-foot putt holed at the first hole followed by another birdie at the second. He praised his ball-striking and putting, noting the importance of prioritising greens and avoiding Royal Birkdale's pot bunkers, particularly on holes reconfigured from par fives to par fours. Fellow Scot Jack McDonald, the only other Scottish player in the field, shot a level-par 70 after a fast start was undone by a double bogey at the 11th and a bogey at the 14th. MacIntyre begins his second round on Friday at 12:25 BST.