Rory McIlroy expressed frustration after a first-round 74 at The Open, citing 'stupid' mistakes that left him seven shots behind leader Jackson Suber. The Northern Irishman managed four birdies but offset them with six bogeys on Thursday at Royal Birkdale, finishing tied for 85th alongside 21 other players, including Matt Fitzpatrick.
McIlroy's Struggles on the Greens
Speaking after the round, McIlroy said: 'There were just too many stupid mistakes - but every time I made a stupid mistake, thankfully, I made a birdie to sort of keep myself in it.' He noted difficulties reading the greens, adding: 'I missed a couple early on that looked like they were going to break one way, and they actually went another way, and then when you get the next one, you're over it.'
The 37-year-old highlighted a stretch where he missed three four-foot putts in four holes, calling it 'tough' to stay committed. However, he remained optimistic, pointing to his driving and ball-striking as positives: 'I took it on off the tee and drove the ball very, very well, hit some really good shots, played the hard holes well.'
Historical Comebacks and Outlook
McIlroy's seven-shot deficit mirrors the margin he overturned at the Masters last year, and Mark O'Meara famously rallied from a similar position to win at Royal Birkdale in 1998. 'I'm not too far away,' McIlroy said. 'Hopefully, I can take advantage of the more benign conditions in the morning and shoot one under par and get back in it.'
First-round leader Jackson Suber posted a five-under 65, one stroke clear of Dan Brown and Im Sung-jae. Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Young, and Robert MacIntyre were among a group of nine players at three-under.
