Rory McIlroy’s bid to end a 10-year wait to win a Major was blown off course on the opening round of the 152nd Open as Bryson DeChambeau also struggled in the blustery and wet conditions in Troon.
McIlroy was aiming to get over his heartbreak at the US Open last month, where he blew a late lead due to two short missed putts as DeChambeau claimed his second Major by one shot.
But the Northern Irishman posted two double-bogeys in his opening 11 holes to fall to five over par after 14 and leave his chances of lifting the Claret Jug for the second time hanging by a thread.
DeChambeau had been the form player in the majors so far this year, despite his defection to the breakaway LIV Tour.
The American finished sixth at The Masters and runner-up in the USPGA Championship behind a record-breaking 21 under par set by Xander Schauffele before claiming his second US Open.
However, his struggles with the windy conditions of links golf continued as he was six over par for his opening nine holes, including a double-bogey at the par-five 6th.
Two-time Major champion Justin Thomas recovered from his own double-bogey at the 12th to post the clubhouse lead on three under par.
“I played really solid, got it around. I felt like I had great control of the ball,” said Thomas, who hit an 11-over round in the first round of The Open last year.
“A little bit of a hiccup in the beginning of the back nine but stayed patient and kept plugging [away].”
Former world No 1 Justin Rose and Scandinavian duo Alex Noren and Nicolai Hojgaard are in a group of three to post a two under par 69.
World No 1 Scottie Scheffler has won six times in just 14 starts this year and is aiming to make an impact across the Atlantic for the first time.
The American’s best previous showing at The Open was a tie for eighth in 2021.
Scheffler won his second Masters in April but has failed to add to his two majors since at the USPGA Championship and the US Open.
Tiger Woods is also certain to be a crowd favourite later when he makes his return to the event after missing last year’s Open.
The three-time winner hit back at claims from former European Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie that he should retire after playing sparingly and struggling since a serious car accident in 2021.
Indeed, Woods believes the conditions on a links course give him a better chance to compete than the longer hitting needed in the US.
“The older you get the less you can carry the golf ball but over here, you can run the golf ball 100 yards if you get the right wind and the right trajectory,” said the 15-time Major champion.
“I think that’s one of the reasons why you see older champions up there on the board because they’re not forced to have to carry the ball 320 yards any more.”
Former champions at Troon, Justin Leonard (nine over) and Todd Hamilton (11 over) were in the opening group, but are unlikely to be around for the weekend after struggling to combat the combination of tough conditions and a challenging course.
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Photo: Harry How/Getty Images
