Rory McIlroy struggles with putting at 2026 British Open

Rory McIlroy’s opening round at the 2026 British Open was a tale of frustration, as the Northern Irish golfer missed three putts from four feet or less in a span of four holes. His 2-over-par 72 left him seven strokes behind surprise leader Jackson Suber, ranked 115th in the world.

What went wrong for McIlroy?

McIlroy’s putting woes began early. On holes 7, 8, and 10 at Royal Liverpool, he failed to convert short putts that would have kept him in contention. His only birdie of the day came on the 9th, where he drove the green from 415 yards. But the missed putts overshadowed that moment, leaving him visibly exasperated.

The sixth player to complete the career Grand Slam struggled with consistency. A bogey on the par-5 17th-after chipping into a bunker-highlighted his struggles. He salvaged a birdie on the tough 18th, but his 148th-ranked putting performance told the story.

Why this round matters

McIlroy arrived at The Open fresh off a seventh-place finish at the Scottish Open, where he famously exclaimed, 'I’m so bad at golf.' His reduced 2026 schedule-just six events since his second Masters win-has raised questions about his preparation. A victory this week would tie him with Harry Vardon for the most majors by a European player.

Instead, he faces an uphill battle. Suber’s unexpected lead and McIlroy’s own miscues have left him chasing from the start. His body language-puzzled looks, head shakes-reflected his disappointment.

What’s next for McIlroy?

McIlroy will need a strong second round to stay in contention. His birdie on the 18th offered a glimmer of hope, but he’ll need to improve his putting dramatically. The Open’s unpredictable conditions could still play to his advantage, but time is running out.

The 2026 British Open continues with Round 2, where McIlroy will look to rebound. Whether he can turn things around remains to be seen.