Rory McIlroy began the Open Championship with an uneven one-over-par 72 at Royal Birkdale, leaving him seven shots behind unexpected leader Jackson Suber. The six-time major winner said “too many stupid mistakes”, particularly on the greens, stopped him from making a stronger start as he pursues a second Open title after winning the Masters in April.

McIlroy made four birdies but also six bogeys, including two bogey sixes on par-fives, and missed three putts from around four feet over four holes. He felt the greens were inconsistent and hopes calmer morning conditions for his second round will help him recover; although he is outside the usual five-shot range of first-round leaders, he previously overturned a seven-shot opening deficit to win the 2025 Masters.