Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy's British Open Hopes Dwindle After Dismal First Rounds

Once fierce rivals at the U.S. Open, Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy found themselves near the bottom of the British Open leaderboard after a nightmarish first round at Royal Troon.

The British Open, a tournament renowned for its unforgiving conditions, has proven to be a stark departure from the epic duel played out between Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy at the U.S. Open. After a tumultuous first round at Royal Troon, Thursday, the former first- and second-place finishers at Pinehurst now face an uphill battle just to make the cut.

Rory McIlroy, the 2014 Open champion, succumbed to the relentless winds and challenging course layout, carding a disastrous 78. This marks his worst opening round in a major tournament since 2014, leaving him seven shots behind par. On the other end of the spectrum, DeChambeau's round was equally disappointing, marred by consistency issues and a lack of momentum. He struggled to find his footing until the 16th hole, where he finally birdied from 55 feet away – a rare bright spot in an otherwise grim day. His final score of 76 left him five shots behind par.

Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy's British Open Hopes Dwindle After Dismal First Rounds

DeChambeau, however, remains resolute, expressing his determination to bounce back on Friday. "I'm just proud of the way I persevered today," DeChambeau stated. "I could have easily given up after nine holes, but I didn't. I'm looking forward to the challenge tomorrow."

Following his heartbreaking loss at the U.S. Open, McIlroy vowed to take a break from golf. His return at the Scottish Open, where he finished in a tie for fourth, had sparked hope for a strong performance at the Open. However, the harsh conditions at Royal Troon proved to be a formidable challenge. "When you play in a wind you're not used to, it changes your game plan and forces you to adjust," McIlroy said. "Unfortunately, I didn't do a good enough job adapting."

Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy's British Open Hopes Dwindle After Dismal First Rounds

The outlook for both DeChambeau and McIlroy remains uncertain. McIlroy faces a monumental task of making up a 12-stroke deficit to reach contention. DeChambeau, while closer to the leaders, must also improve significantly to avoid an early exit.

DeChambeau is scheduled to tee off at 9:48 a.m. EST on Friday, while McIlroy will take to the course at 10:10 a.m. EST. The British Open, a tournament where fortunes can change rapidly, still provides a glimmer of hope for both players. However, they will need to summon their very best if they hope to salvage their title aspirations from the brink of disaster.

Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy's British Open Hopes Dwindle After Dismal First Rounds