Scheffler storms into Open lead at Portrush

Stimpmeter · July 19, 2025, 5:45am

Scottie Scheffler surged into the halfway lead at The Open with a superb seven-under-par 64 on Friday, signalling his intent to capture a maiden Claret Jug at Royal Portrush.

The world No 1 produced the low round of the week so far, overcoming two heavy downpours to reach 10-under overall – one shot ahead of England’s Matthew Fitzpatrick.

“Fortunately, it didn’t pour the whole time,” said Scheffler of the testing weather. “We only had maybe four or five holes where it was really coming down, and I was able to take advantage of the holes where we had some good weather.”

Scheffler’s bogey-free 64 marked his lowest round in a Major and continued a dominant season that already includes wins at The Masters and PGA Championship. He’s now firmly positioned to chase his fourth title of the year and a fourth career Major.

Fitzpatrick kept pace with a strong 66, bolstered by a run of four consecutive birdies on the back nine, before slipping back slightly with a bogey at the 14th and a missed short birdie putt on 17. He responded by rolling in a clutch 23-footer for par at the last.

“He’s world No 1, and we’re seeing Tiger-like stuff,” said Fitzpatrick of his Saturday playing partner. “I think the pressure is for him to win the golf tournament.”

2023 Open champion Brian Harman reminded fans of his dominance at Hoylake two years ago, signing for a flawless 65 to reach eight under par. He’s joined at that mark by China’s Li Haotong, who carded his second straight 67.

“It’s a very boring approach that I take. I’m not trying to be heroic or do anything crazy,” said Harman.

Li, bidding to become the first Chinese male Major winner, just missed a birdie putt on 18 that would’ve taken him to nine under.

“It will be a lot of pressure for sure, but I just have to find a way to deal with that,” he said.

Home favourite Rory McIlroy carded a second-round 69 to move to three under par for the championship, seven behind Scheffler. A mixed round saw him struggle off the tee early, but the world No 2 rallied with two birdies over his closing stretch to keep his title hopes alive.

“I feel like I maybe could be a couple closer to the lead, but overall I’m in a decent position heading into the weekend,” said the 2014 Open champion.

The Masters champion is looking to win a second Major of the year and his first Open on home soil.

Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre fired a 66 to reach five under par, placing him in contention to become his country’s first Major winner since Paul Lawrie in 1999. He is joined by Englishman Tyrrell Hatton, Denmark’s Rasmus Højgaard, and in-form American Chris Gotterup.

2019 champion Shane Lowry saw his hopes take a hit after he was penalised two strokes post-round for causing his ball to move during a practice swing on the 12th hole.

Photo: Warren Little/Getty Images

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