Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy leaves the 11th tee on day one of the 154th Open Golf championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club near Southport in north-west England on July 16, 2026. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy reacts to missing his par putt on the 10th green on day one of the 154th Open Golf championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club near Southport in north-west England on July 16, 2026. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

A young fan of Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy holds out a message beside the 10th green on day one of the 154th Open Golf championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club near Southport in north-west England on July 16, 2026. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy misses his par putt on the 10th green on day one of the 154th Open Golf championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club near Southport in north-west England on July 16, 2026. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy lines up a putt on the 10th green on day one of the 154th Open Golf championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club near Southport in north-west England on July 16, 2026. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke smiles on the 18th green on day one of the 154th Open Golf championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club near Southport in north-west England on July 16, 2026. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke smiles on the 18th green on day one of the 154th Open Golf championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club near Southport in north-west England on July 16, 2026. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

US golfer Jackson Suber retrieves his ball from the cup on the 18th green on day one of the 154th Open Golf championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club near Southport in north-west England on July 16, 2026. (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE