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)

Tommy Fleetwood of England plays out of a bunker on the 13th hole 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)

Collin Morikawa of the United States plays out of a bunker on the 11th 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/Jon Super)

US golfer Scottie Scheffler tees off during a practice round at the British Open Golf Championship at Royal Birkdale, Southport, England, Monday, July 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

US golfer Scottie Scheffler plays out of the bunker during a practice round at the British Open Golf Championship at Royal Birkdale, Southport, England, Monday, July 13, 2026. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy poses with the annual Golf Writers Trophy, that he won in 2025, 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 speaks with his team on the driving range 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 reacts on the driving range 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