Rory McIlroy skips Travelers Championship to practice at Royal Birkdale before The Open

World No. 2 Rory McIlroy opted to miss the Travelers Championship and travelled to Royal Birkdale Golf Club in England to begin early preparation for the upcoming Open Championship. While at Birkdale he ran into former champion Sir Nick Faldo, who praised the course and discussed the challenges of the fifth hole, which McIlroy described as a "good drivable par four."

McIlroy, who finished the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills six‑over par and 10 strokes behind winner Wyndham Clark, has limited his 2026 schedule to nine tournaments, citing health and family priorities. He and his family have moved to London for the summer, and he plans to play the Scottish Open the week before the Open.