Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau implode at The Open; far cry from U.S. Open duel

Round One of the Open Championship has tested PGA Tour and LIV Golf players quite a bit.

Look no further than Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy, who looked lost at Royal Troon on Thursday. The top two names from last month’s U.S. Open shot well over par.

DeChambeau carded a 5-over 76, a round that included five bogeys, one double bogey, and one eagle on the par-5 16th.

McIlroy, meanwhile, signed for a 7-over 78 with one birdie, four bogeys and two double bogeys.

Simply put, the conditions at Royal Troon were gnarly, with winds over 25 mph. The breeze blew in a different direction than the players saw in practice rounds, out of the south, instead of the prevailing wind from the north.

“I was surprised how difficult the back nine played,” McIlroy said.

“I thought we would get it a bit easier than we did. The course was playing tough. The conditions are very difficult in a wind we haven’t seen this week. When you get a wind you haven’t played in, it presents different options. You start to think about maybe hitting a few clubs you haven’t hit in practice. Just one of those days I didn’t adapt well enough to the conditions.”

McIlroy went out in 38 strokes—2-over-par—which is not ideal, but still something he could recover from. He said he felt okay until he made a double bogey on the par-3 8th, the 123-yard hole known as ‘The Postage Stamp.’

“Still, felt like I was in reasonable enough shape being a couple over through 9, thinking that I could maybe get those couple shots back, try to shoot even par, something like that,” McIlroy said.

“Then, hitting the ball out of bounds on 11, making a double there. Even though the wind on the back nine was helping, it was a lot off the left.”

DeChambeau had similar struggles. He came into this week with great confidence after winning the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.

However, despite DeChambeau making necessary adjustments before Round One, the elements got the best of him.

“Yeah, it’s a completely different test,” DeChambeau said.

“I didn’t get any practice in it or play much in the rain. It’s a difficult test out here. Something I’m not familiar with. I never grew up playing it, and not to say that that’s the reason—I finished eighth at St. Andrews. I can do it when it’s warm and not windy.”

At least DeChambeau salvaged his round with a late eagle. But the 30-year-old provided honest answers about how difficult of a day it was. Regardless, he remains open to the challenge and will look to find a way to play the weekend.

“I’m proud of the way I persevered today,” DeChambeau explained.

“Shoot, man, I could have thrown in the towel after nine and could have been like, I’m going home. But no, I’ve got a chance tomorrow. I’m excited for the challenge. If I have some putts go in and hit some shots the way I know how to and figure out this equipment stuff, I’ll be good.”

Both players will have later tee times for Friday’s round.

The weather will be overcast with a slight drizzle in the morning, but there will be some spells of sunshine by the afternoon.

However, that wind will be a significant factor. In the afternoon, there will be south to southwest winds from 14-17 mph with gusts up to 28-32 mph.

DeChambeau tees off at 9:48 a.m. ET with Ludvig Åberg and Tom Kim. McIlroy goes off later with Max Homa and Tyrrell Hatton at 10:10 a.m. ET on Friday.

Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. For more golf coverage, follow us @_PlayingThrough on all major social platforms. You can also follow her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @golf_girl_sl.