Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau struggle in first round of Open Championship

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It is a tale of two major tournaments for Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy. 

After an epic duel between the two that saw DeChambeau take home his second U.S. Open championship last month, the British Open has been much a different story. 

After a rough first round at Royal Troon on Thursday, the first- and second-place finishers from the U.S. Open are now just fighting to make the cut.

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Rory McIlroy reacts after missing a birdie putt on the fourth green during his opening round of the British Open. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

McIlroy shot a 78, his worst opening round in a major in five years, finding himself 7-over par.

DeChambeau did not record a hole under par until the 16th hole, where he nailed a 55-foot eagle putt, the lone bright spot of his day. He would end up with a 76, 5-over par.

The reigning U.S. Open champion is looking forward to getting back at it on Friday.

"I'm just proud of the way I persevered today," DeChambeau said. "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."

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Bryson DeChambeau plays from the rough on the third hole during his opening round of the British Open. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

After his press conference, DeChambeau went out to the range to try and figure out his equipment after a "weird" day.

Following McIlroy’s defeat in the U.S. Open, where he missed both a 30-inch and four-foot putt on the 16th and 18th holes, he said he was going to take some time off