The Open 2026: A Day of Contrasts at Royal Birkdale
The first day of The Open at Royal Birkdale was a day of contrasts, with a mix of strong starts and underwhelming performances. The day began with a sense of anticipation as the new US Open champion, Wyndham Clark, teed off, but his opening bogey set the tone for a challenging day. Meanwhile, the local favourite, Tommy Fleetwood, started with a par, but his round was a rollercoaster, with birdies at 15 and 17 salvaging a round in the red.
One of the standout performances of the day was by Ryan Gerard, who shot a three-under 67, putting him at the top of the leaderboard. However, the day was not without its surprises, as the world number one, Scottie Scheffler, struggled with his putt, making a bogey at the par-three 4th and slipping to +1. The five-time major winner, Brooks Koepka, also had a par-par start, with a bogey at the par-three 4th and a tie for fourth at Portrush in 2019 as his best return.
The day was filled with a mix of emotions, with players experiencing both highs and lows. The local hero, Tommy Fleetwood, admitted to playing poorly, but was still happy with his one-under round. The young Japanese star, Ryo Hisatsune, signed for a two-under 68, while the 1998 hero, Justin Rose, trudged off dolefully after a very disappointing opening round of 75.
The day was also marked by the introduction of new par-three holes, which were the subject of debate. The new holes featured modern structures, including a viewing platform and a three-tier hospitality unit, which added to the overall experience of the tournament.
As the day drew to a close, the leaderboard was filled with a mix of experienced players and rising stars. The American Alex Smalley joined the leaders on -4, while the Englishman Matthew Southgate posted a -1 69. The day was a mix of surprises and disappointments, with players experiencing both the highs and lows of the game.
Overall, the first day of The Open at Royal Birkdale was a day of contrasts, with a mix of strong starts and underwhelming performances. The day was filled with emotions and surprises, and it remains to be seen who will emerge as the winner of the tournament.
