Jackson Suber leads Open amid Bryson drama, Rory's skid
Jackson Suber, a 26-year-old Open debutant, sits at 6-under after 36 holes at Royal Birkdale — two shots off the lead — after opening with a stunning 5-under 65 and following with a 69. Bryson DeChambeau bounced back into contention but took a two-shot penalty, while Rory McIlroy opened with a struggling 2-over 72.
Key Takeaways
- Jackson Suber led Round 1 with a 5-under 65 in his first Open Championship and first trip to Europe.
- After a second-round 69, Suber is at 6-under, tied with Cameron Young and two behind the lead.
- Bryson DeChambeau opened with a strategic 67, then was assessed a two-shot penalty in Round 2.
- Rory McIlroy carded a 2-over 72 on Thursday and sat on the wrong side of the projected cut line.
- Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns each shot a record-matching 62 in Round 2 at Royal Birkdale.
The story at the 2026 Open Championship is not only star power. It is how jackson suber — still seeking a first PGA Tour or Korn Ferry win — seized the narrative at Royal Birkdale.
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Who is Jackson Suber and why does his lead matter?
Suber had never played The Open before this week at Royal Birkdale. The 26-year-old had qualified for only two majors prior and said Monday was his first round of links golf — just 27 holes before Thursday’s opener. “I’ve never been to Europe,” he said after the round.
He still posted a clubhouse-leading 65, capped by an eagle at the 17th that put him alone at 5-under. That was one ahead of Sungjae Im and Dan Brown, and clear of Bryson DeChambeau at 3-under and defending champion Scottie Scheffler at 2-under.
Context helps explain the buzz. Suber recently finished T6 at the John Deere Classic, T4 at the Canadian Open and fourth at the Byron Nelson — form that made an unlikely first-round lead less random than it looked.
How did Bryson DeChambeau bounce back — then get hit with a penalty?
DeChambeau entered the week under fire, including from three-time Open champion Nick Faldo, who said he had “zero clue” how to play links golf. DeChambeau answered with a 67 he called “strategic,” stressing placement over power alone.
Round 2 brought drama of a different kind. According to The Athletic, DeChambeau was assessed a two-shot penalty for inadvertently improving the area of his intended swing on the fifth hole. He is at 5-under for the tournament after the ruling.
Meanwhile, Australia’s Lucas Herbert matched the Open record with a 62 and sat at 8-under, with Ryan Fox also at 8-under. Suber stayed in the hunt with a 69 for 6-under, tied with Cameron Young. Scheffler lurked at 4-under after a 68.
Why are Rory McIlroy’s struggles such a big subplot?
McIlroy’s opening 72 left him well back and, per early cut projections (top 70 and ties), on the wrong side of the line. A birdie at the last helped, but he still needed a strong Friday to climb back into contention at Birkdale.
That contrast — jackson suber atop the board while McIlroy ground through a 72 — is why Round 1 felt upside down. Suber’s early tee time Friday and late pairing with Herbert on Moving Day kept the debutant firmly in the weekend conversation.
Whether he can convert early major magic into a lasting challenge is the question Royal Birkdale will answer next.