Rory McIlroy is under scrutiny for repeating his controversial Augusta National move ahead of The Open Championship 2026. On 18 Jun, he was spotted practicing at Royal Birkdale, three weeks before the major tournament.
What happened?
Rory McIlroy defended his Masters title this year and revealed that he spent weeks practicing at Augusta National to prepare. This time, he practiced at Royal Birkdale, which has revamped several holes for The Open Championship 2026.
Sir Nick Faldo bumped into McIlroy and uploaded a video of the two discussing the course. McIlroy said the fifth hole is completely different from 2017, with new green complexes and deep bunkers guarding the green.
Why it matters for Rory McIlroy
Many fans saw this as an advantage, with TV personality Stephen A. Smith questioning if McIlroy gained an unfair advantage. The criticism is more about access and privilege than early preparation.
Rory McIlroy has the freedom to skip regular PGA Tour events, although he has earned it with years of consistency. He has openly admitted that he would reduce his schedule and focus more on majors.
What comes next?
McIlroy will continue his early preparation sprints, but fans are criticizing him for skipping big events like the Travelers Championship 2026. One fan wrote that not every player is afforded the option to prep like this.
The PGAT should be publicly bashing him for skipping big events, many created for him, but they love him for criticizing LIV for years. McIlroy's decision to miss the Travelers Championship 2026 has sparked debate about competitive fairness.
Kevin Kisner came to McIlroy's rescue, calling the argument the dumbest. Despite the criticism, McIlroy continues his early preparation, which has helped him play better, as seen at the Masters 2026 where he defended his title with a wire-to-wire win.
The Open Championship 2026 will feature revamped holes, including the par-4 5th hole, which McIlroy has already practiced on. Other professionals will also get a chance to observe and play these holes during their practice rounds.
Rory McIlroy's early preparation has sparked a debate about access to exclusive golf courses like Augusta National, which is private and only accessible to club members, past champions, and invited guests.
Michael Kim highlighted that many professionals don't have access to these courses, which raises questions about competitive fairness. The debate will continue as McIlroy prepares for The Open Championship 2026.