In a dramatic turn of events, golfers Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau found themselves in a challenging position during the first round of the British Open at Royal Troon. Just a month after their thrilling duel at the U.S. Open, both players faced an uphill battle to make the cut.

McIlroy, hoping to secure his first major championship win in 10 years, suffered a major setback with a disappointing 7-over-par 77. This placed him in 132nd position among the 158 players in the field. The Irish pro, whose last major victory came in 2014, now faces an uphill climb to salvage his chances at the prestigious tournament.

Meanwhile, DeChambeau, who emerged victorious in the U.S. Open against McIlroy, encountered similar struggles on the course. Shooting a 5-over-par 75, the American golfer had a rough start, finding himself 5-over-par after just six holes. However, he managed to salvage his round with an eagle on the 16th hole and parred the final two holes.

Reflecting on his challenging day, DeChambeau acknowledged the frustrations but remained optimistic. He expressed confidence in his ability to figure things out and make a comeback. Determined not to give up, he highlighted the opportunity that lies ahead in the second round.

"It's frustrating, but look, at the end of the day it's golf," DeChambeau said. "I'm going to go figure it out. I'm just proud of the way I persevered today. Shoot, man, I could have thrown in the towel after nine and could have been like, 'I'm going home.' But no, I've got a chance tomorrow. I'm excited for the challenge. If I have some putts go in and hit some shots the way I know how to and figure out this equipment stuff, I'll be good."

With their hopes of clinching the British Open title hanging in the balance, both McIlroy and DeChambeau will need to stage impressive performances in the next few rounds to make the cut and keep their championship aspirations alive. As the tournament unfolds, golf fans around the world eagerly await their next moves on the challenging course of Royal Troon.