Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy watches his drive from the 10th tee during practice for the 154th Open Golf championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club near Southport in north-west England on July 15, 2026. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy plays from the rough on the 10th hole during practice for the 154th Open Golf championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club near Southport in north-west England on July 15, 2026. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy watches his drive from the 10th tee during practice for the 154th Open Golf championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club near Southport in north-west England on July 15, 2026. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy walks to the 10th tee during practice for the 154th Open Golf championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club near Southport in north-west England on July 15, 2026. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy (C) and Ireland's Shane Lowry (R) chat on the 10th tee during practice for the 154th Open Golf championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club near Southport in north-west England on July 15, 2026. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

Ireland's Shane Lowry arrives on the 10th tee during practice for the 154th Open Golf championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club near Southport in north-west England on July 15, 2026. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

Spectators watch from the top of the grandstand beside the 18th green during practice for the 154th Open Golf championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club near Southport in north-west England on July 15, 2026. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland gestures after putting on the 4th green during a practice round for the British Open Golf championships at Royal Birkdale golf club, in Southport, England, Tuesday, July 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)