Scottie Scheffler fires a brilliant second-round 64 to lead the British Open, as Rory McIlroy keeps hope alive and Matt Fitzpatrick chases history at Royal Portrush.
Scheffler’s Sizzling 64 Puts Him on Top of the Open
Scottie Scheffler, the current world No. 1 and a walking highlight reel on the PGA Tour, reminded everyone exactly why he’s that guy. A smooth, confident 64 in round two of the British Open at Royal Portrush catapulted him to the top of the leaderboard at 10-under par.
While others battled the unpredictable Irish weather and the mind games of links golf, Scheffler looked cool, calculated, and almost annoyingly composed. Eight birdies, one bogey, and a round that had “champion vibes” written all over it.
“I felt like I hit a few more fairways than I did yesterday, hit some really nice iron shots, and was able to hole some putts,” Scheffler said, keeping it humble despite throwing darts all day.
And here’s the kicker: he still hasn’t won a British Open. Yet.
Fitzpatrick Flashes Brilliance, Chasing English Golf History
One shot behind is Matt Fitzpatrick, who threw down a 66 and is clearly vibing at Royal Portrush. The 2022 U.S. Open champ dropped four birdies early, then went on a heater with four straight on the back. He stumbled a little late, but still walked off the 18th with a gritty par save.
“Giving myself an opportunity to win the golf tournament, but there’s still a hell of a long way to go,” Fitzpatrick said.
Fun fact? No Englishman has lifted the Claret Jug since Nick Faldo in ‘92. Fitzpatrick could be the guy to break that drought.
Harman and Li Join the Chase
Brian Harman, who quietly ran away with the Open in 2023, is making noise again. A clean, no-bogey 65 put him right in the mix. Harman’s not the longest hitter, but Portrush rewards precision and savvy—two things he’s got in spades.
“I love the golf over here,” Harman said. “It suits me.”
Also in the hunt is China’s Li Haotong, who’s been steady with back-to-back 67s. His Friday was full of fireworks—five birdies in the first 12 holes—but he cooled off just a bit on the back nine.
“Very pleased, I didn’t expect this,” Li admitted.
Rory’s Homecoming: Chaos, Clutch Shots, and Cheers
Now, let’s talk Rory. Hometown hero. Crowd favorite. And one heck of a roller-coaster.
McIlroy opened with a gritty birdie on the first hole, battled through some wild rough and frustrating missed putts, but eventually grinded out a 69. At three under, he’s lurking—not quite in full beast mode yet, but very much alive.
“I didn’t have this opportunity six years ago,” McIlroy said, nodding to his missed cut in the 2019 Portrush Open. “I feel like my game’s definitely good enough to make a run.”
It’s Rory. If he gets hot on the weekend, all bets are off.
Big Names Out, New Stars Rising
The second round also delivered its fair share of heartbreak.
Former champions like Collin Morikawa, Louis Oosthuizen, and Padraig Harrington? Gone. Missed the cut. Jacob Skov Olesen, who led after day one, imploded with a quadruple bogey on hole one. Yikes. But hey—he did make the cut, somehow.
On the flip side, young guns like Rasmus Hojgaard and Robert MacIntyre are holding steady at five under, keeping things interesting heading into moving day.
What to Watch Heading Into the Weekend
Portrush has proven once again it’s no pushover. The mix of firm fairways, coastal wind, and unpredictable showers makes every round feel like a survival game.
What’s next?
- Can Scheffler stay dialed in and capture that elusive Open title?
- Will Fitzpatrick go full 1992 nostalgia and bring the Claret Jug home?
- Could Rory write the comeback script Northern Ireland’s been dreaming of?
Whatever happens, this Open is shaping up to be a classic.
Pro Tip for Golf Fans:
Links golf is all about adaptability. If you’re watching at home or playing your local muni, take a page from Scheffler’s book—stay patient, play smart, and never underestimate a low stinger into the wind.
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