Rory McIlroy has already begun his preparation for the next major championship.
McIlroy, just days removed from his T-32 finish at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, was at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England, on Thursday ahead of the July 16-19 Open Championship.
McIlroy told reporters last Sunday, “I’ll be playing some links golf this week probably coming up,” though he didn’t specifically note that it was a scouting trip to Birkdale, which will host its first Open since Jordan Spieth won in 2017.
Nick Faldo, who will work the major for Sky Sports, was also at Birkdale, ran into McIlroy on the course and recorded an impromptu interview with his fellow six-time major winner.
“It’s good to get up here and play early,” McIlroy told Faldo. “I’ve been trying to do that at every major championship, which is working out for me...Try to play a bit of links golf, try to get used to these conditions again.”
Doing a bit of fieldwork for Sky Sports at Royal Birkdale, ahead of The Open... and look who I bumped into. 👀 pic.twitter.com/Hqaq8pM7XT
— Sir Nick Faldo (@Sir_NickFaldo) June 25, 2026
McIlroy, who spent considerable time at Augusta National prior to this year’s second Masters victory, noted that the course was “a little bit different” compared to nine years ago, most notably a few different holes and some new green complexes. The fifth hole, a drivable par-4, was “completely different,” according to McIlroy, who tied for fourth at Birkdale in 2017. He didn’t qualify in 2008, his first full year as a pro.
“I’ve always thought that Birkdale was one of the best in the Open rota,” McIlroy added.
McIlroy will next compete in the Genesis Scottish Open, which will be held the week before the Open in North Berwick, Scotland.