McIlroy, DeChambeau stumble badly out of the gates at British Open

Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau struggle in challenging conditions at the British Open, facing equipment and putting issues.

So much for the British Open being one last stand for Rory McIlroy in the majors this year. His best hope now is getting beyond one more day.

And he has company from U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau.

The protagonists from Pinehurst No. 2 were no match for a wind that came out of the opposite direction at Royal Troon and caused both of them more problems than they wanted Thursday.

McIlroy took two shots to get out of a deep bunker right of the “Postage Stamp,” the famous nickname of the 123-yard eighth hole. Three holes later, he hammered driver that sailed over the railroad tracks and out-of-bounds.

It added to a 7-over 78, his worst start to major in five years.

“The conditions were tough on that back nine, and I just didn’t do a good enough job,” he said.

DeChambeau wasn't much better. He couldn't buy a par putt early on, even missing from 3 feet on the par-5 fourth. He tried to hit 7-iron out of the thick grass and moved it only a few feet, leading to a double bogey on the par-5 seventh.