Rory McIlroy struggled in the 2024 Open Championship, scoring 78 in the first round, his best since 2021. Despite setbacks, including double bogeys, he remains optimistic about his performance. The tournament, with a record purse of $17 million, is ongoing at Royal Troon. McIlroy's recent finishes in other majors this year include ties for 22nd at the Masters, 12th at the PGA Championship, and second at the US Open. Additionally, McIlroy received supportive messages from Tiger Woods and others after his U.S. Open near-miss, highlighting the camaraderie in the golf community.