# Open Championship 2026: Francesco Molinari’s Royal Birkdale Surge and McIlroy’s Opening Stumble

**By Amelie Fontaine**  \nPublished August 5, 2026  \nUpdated September 9, 2026

> Francesco Molinari ignited the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale with a brilliant three-under 67, climbing back to the upper echelons of a major leaderboard for the first time in years as Jackson Suber took the first-round lead and Rory McIlroy stumbled.

When the opening round of the 154th Open Championship concluded at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England, the links test immediately demonstrated why it remains golf's ultimate examination. With firm conditions and a punishing layout across the North West England coast, only 39 players managed to break par during a demanding Thursday. Amidst the morning and afternoon traffic, familiar major champions found themselves heading in starkly different directions.

For Italy's lone major winner, Francesco Molinari, the opening 18 holes represented a dramatic return to leaderboard prominence. The 2018 Open victor—affectionately known as 'Chicco'—carded a stellar three-under-par 67, mixing six birdies with three bogeys. The Turin-born 43-year-old found himself tied for third place alongside a crowded group that included Robert MacIntyre, Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Young, and Thomas Detry. For Molinari, who has endured largely barren years since his runner-up and contending runs at the turn of the decade, the opening salvo places him right back in the mix two shots off the pace.

At the very top of the provisional leaderboard sits American links newcomer Jackson Suber, who tamed Royal Birkdale with a flawless five-under 65. Just behind him, alone in second, is a pair featuring South Korea's Sungjae Im and England's Daniel Brown at four-under. Brown engineered a particularly volatile scorecard, offsetting three bogeys with seven blistering birdies.

## The Contender Landscape and McIlroy's Battle

While Molinari capitalized on his chances, the opening day dealt a harsh hand to reigning figureheads. Rory McIlroy struggled on the Southport links, signing for a 72 that dropped him down into a tie for 85th place alongside Matt Fitzpatrick. McIlroy's day stood in sharp contrast to defending champion Scottie Scheffler, who navigated the course cleanly to sit at two-under (68) alongside Collin Morikawa and Sepp Straka. Meanwhile, Jon Rahm found a foothold at one-under, locked in a group with Tommy Fleetwood, Shane Lowry, and Ben Griffin.

Other notable names hovered right around the cutline or even par: Ludvig Åberg carded a one-over 73 alongside Alex Noren and Rickie Fowler, while Viktor Hovland and Brooks Koepka ground out even-par rounds. Francesco Laporta, the other Italian in the field, faced a tougher initiation, finishing his opening loop at four-over after managing a lone birdie against two bogeys and a double bogey.

## First-Round Leaderboard Snapshot

PositionPlayerScore1Jackson Suber (USA)-5 (65)T2Sungjae Im (KOR), Daniel Brown (ENG)-4T3Francesco Molinari (ITA) + others-3 (67)T-RedemptionScottie Scheffler, Collin Morikawa, Sepp Straka-2 (68)T85Rory McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick+1 (72 equiv.)As the championship progresses through its middle rounds at Royal Birkdale, the challenge shifts from initial survival to sustaining momentum against maritime winds and unforgiving pot bunkers. Molinari’s resurgence gives Italian golf a rare weekend focal point at the major level, while McIlroy faces an immediate fightback just to salvage his championship aspirations.

## Sources

- [www.zazoom.it](https://www.zazoom.it/2026-07-16/open-championship-2026-grande-avvio-di-molinari-mcilroy-in-difficolta/19469234/) — original
- [www.zazoom.it](https://www.zazoom.it/2026-07-16/open-championship-2026-grande-avvio-di-molinari-ai-piani-alti-dopo-7-anni-mcilroy-in-difficolta/19469241/) — original
- [ANSA English Desk](https://www.ansa.it/english/news/2026/07/16/golf-molinari-swings-back-into-form-at-open-two-shots-off_a97549e7-5cb3-4adc-8829-3bd2aaa4736a.html) — original
- [www.theopen.com](https://www.theopen.com/) — original
- [Nicolò Scovazzi](https://www.oasport.it/2026/07/open-championship-2026-jackson-suber-attacca-e-prende-la-leadership-molinari-in-top-10/) — original