Rory McIlroy Gets Harsh Verdict Ahead of The Open amid doubts

Rory McIlroy entered the 2026 Open Championship with a stark warning from former agent Andrew "Chubby" Chandler, who said on 12 July that the Northern Irish star’s spark had vanished ahead of the Royal Birkdale start on 16 July.

Chandler told BetVictor that McIlroy looks like a "one‑course pony" and that his recent results suggest a decline. He pointed to a tied‑seventh finish at the PGA Championship and a tied‑32nd at the US Open as evidence that the former world No. 1 is struggling when the wind picks up and greens firm up. "He blows up on the back‑nine at Augusta but falters on windy links," Chandler claimed.

The criticism follows McIlroy’s second‑consecutive Masters win in April, a rare feat that put him in the conversation for a career slam. Yet his post‑major performances have been uneven. At the PGA Championship in May he posted a 7‑under‑par round but slipped to T‑7 overall. The US Open in June saw him finish T‑32, well outside the cut line for a player of his stature.

Royal Birkdale is known for its fast fairways and gusty conditions, a combination Chandler believes will expose any lingering rust. "If the course runs fast, it will be a leveller for him," he warned. The Open’s traditional links set-up tests a player’s ability to control trajectory and spin, skills McIlroy has excelled at on softer, more predictable surfaces.

Despite the bleak outlook, Chandler conceded that McIlroy could still capture a major this year if the greens stay soft. He noted that McIlroy’s chipping and wedge play have historically been strengths, even if recent outings have been erratic. "I'd be surprised if he doesn't win a major somewhere," Chandler added, hinting that a soft‑green scenario might reignite his confidence.

McIlroy plans to arrive at Birkdale a few weeks early, a strategy he’s used to acclimate to major venues. Whether that preparation can offset the doubts expressed by his former manager remains to be seen. The Open begins on Thursday, 16 July, and all eyes will be on the 33‑year‑old to see if the spark truly reignites or if the criticism proves prescient.

Chandler’s comments touch on a larger debate: can McIlroy ever be judged against Tiger Woods’ record? While six men have completed the career slam, none have won three Masters in a row. Chandler suggested that chasing such a historic feat might be driving McIlroy’s recent focus, potentially at the expense of his broader game.

The Open will be the first major test of McIlroy’s form since his Masters triumph, and the verdict from his former agent adds a layer of intrigue to what could become a defining week in his career.