The Northern Irish golfer condemned Bryson DeChambeau’s actions at the 2026 British Open in the historic venue. McIlroy called a penalty against DeChambeau "clearly evident". McIlroy later offered an olive branch to DeChambeau to his tournament in Doonbeg, despite past friction. The Kiwi Ryan Fox secured the title with a final-hole birdie at Royal Birkdale. Fox set a clubhouse mark that Sam Burns later surpassed with a 54-hole lead during the same tournament. Cameron Young led the leaderboard as the day’s early play leader at the Open.