Rory McIlroy criticized Bryson DeChambeau’s actions at the 2026 British Open in Southport, England. McIlroy called a penalty against DeChambeau "pretty obvious". McIlroy later invited DeChambeau to his Irish Open stop, despite ongoing tensions. The Kiwi Ryan Fox claimed the title with a last-par taker at the coastal course. Fox set a clubhouse mark that another competitor later surpassed with a 54-hole advantage during the same tournament. Cameron Young led the leaderboard as the day’s early play leader at the Open.