The Open Championship 2026 (Royal Birkdale, Round 1, July 16, 2026): Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) completes Round 1 with a score of 70 or better (≤70 shots, par or better)

McIlroy is the second favorite at +850 (bookmakers imply ~11% tournament win probability) behind Scottie Scheffler (+700). He won his second consecutive Masters title this season and finished T7 at The Open Championship 2025. At his last Open at Royal Birkdale (2017), he finished T4. As a Northern Irishman he has extensive links experience and knows Birkdale well. Royal Birkdale par is 70. A score of ≤70 (par or better) represents a solid, error-free start — no spectacular low round needed. Round 1 wind and lie variability at a major adds uncertainty. Bookmaker odds imply ~50% probability of par or better. No Polymarket market found; by analogy: Scheffler ≤70 is priced at comparable probability in a parallel open prediction.