{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/680a0159fcccdba3a5365c3e/6a59adf6f782764c4c319e13?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Suber Shocks Birkdale & Bryson Trolls Faldo - July 17th, 2026","description":"<p>On July 17th, 2026, Round 1 of the 154th Open Championship delivered a shocking leaderboard as 26-year-old Jackson Suber grabbed the solo lead amidst crusty conditions, player feuds, and the historic absence of golf's biggest legends.</p><p><br></p><h3>THE 154TH OPEN / SUBER'S CINDERELLA STORY</h3><ul><li>Unknown 26-year-old Jackson Suber shocked the golf world by shooting a 5-under 65 to take the solo 18-hole lead at Royal Birkdale, highlighted by a spectacular 233-yard choked-down 4-iron eagle on the 17th hole.</li><li>\"I'd only played 27 holes of links golf prior to this,\" Suber admitted, despite it being just his fifth day ever in Europe.</li><li>Chain-smoking Dan Brown sits just one back at 66, publicly apologizing to his mom for ripping \"seven or eight a round\" to cope with major championship stress.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3>THE BIG GUNS / BRYSON, SCOTTIE &amp; RORY</h3><ul><li>Bryson DeChambeau fired a 67 with his 3D-printed irons while actively trolling Nick Faldo, Scottie Scheffler ditched his conservative game plan to attack, and Rory McIlroy struggled massively on the greens.</li><li>McIlroy ranked an abysmal 148th in putting, comparing Birkdale's crusty, brown surfaces to a \"dead Pebble Beach.\"</li><li>Despite his dominance, Scheffler confessed that his growing collection of major championship trophies currently sits neglected in an \"embarrassing\" messy room at home.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3>ROYAL BIRKDALE / COURSE CONTROVERSIES &amp; LOCAL HEROES</h3><ul><li>Birkdale's firm conditions and controversial renovations are drawing heavy fire, with fans calling it a grazing field for goats and players battling penal bunker ridges caused by R&amp;A-mandated wide-toothed rakes.</li><li>Lee Westwood blasted the course changes, stating, \"You would not repaint a Picasso.\"</li><li>Hometown hero Tommy Fleetwood battled first-tee nerves after consoling his son over England's World Cup loss, while 40-year-old local Matt Baldwin hit the opening tee shot in what he called his \"last chance to play at Birkdale.\"</li></ul><p><br></p><p><br></p><h3>Quick Hits</h3><p>27-year-old amateur David Howard, battling Cystic Fibrosis, lived out his dream playing practice rounds with Harrington and Lowry • Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are both absent from a major for the first time since 1989 • Adam Scott celebrated his 46th birthday by playing his 101st consecutive major and receiving the inaugural Spirit of Golf Award.</p>","author_name":"Golf.ai"}