PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — The rain poured heavily on Royal Portrush just as Scottie Scheffler sank a birdie putt on his first hole during The Open on Friday. Unfazed by the weather conditions, the world’s No. 1 player delivered an impressive performance, carding a 7-under 64 to secure a one-shot lead heading into the weekend. Scheffler showcased his skill with a total of eight birdies throughout the day, nearly netting another on the 18th hole with a 15-foot putt that stopped just inches short.
The challenging weather at Royal Portrush featured intermittent heavy rain and breezy winds that, while noticeable, did not impede play significantly. The scoring conditions improved compared to the opening round, making it nearly two shots easier for the competitors. Scheffler ended the day at 10-under 132, continuing his pursuit of the third leg of the career Grand Slam after winning the PGA Championship by five strokes in May.
In pursuit of Scheffler's lead is Matt Fitzpatrick, the former U.S. Open champion, who made a strong showing with four consecutive birdies at the start of the back nine. However, Fitzpatrick cooled off towards the end, finishing with a 66. He remains just one shot behind Scheffler. Fitzpatrick, who faced challenges earlier this year, including changing his caddy and coach, expressed his excitement about competing against the world No. 1. “He’s an exceptional player. We’re seeing Tiger-like stuff,” he noted. “I hope to have more home support than him, but it’s an exciting position for me to be in, given where I was earlier this year.”
Brian Harman also capitalized on the weather, benefiting from surprising sunshine as he played a bogey-free round of 64. His consistent play places him only two shots behind Scheffler. Similarly, Li Haotong of China shot a 67, joining Harman in the chase. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy, playing in his native Northern Ireland, finished with a 69 but fell significantly behind the leaders, starting the weekend seven shots off the pace.
Fitzpatrick reflected on his recent turnaround, highlighting his missed putts that prevented him from capitalizing on an otherwise strong performance. Despite these setbacks, he managed to sink a crucial 25-foot par putt on the final hole, securing his position in the final group at 9-under 133.
Scheffler displayed remarkable precision from the outset, hitting eight of the 14 fairways—an improvement from three in the opening round. His ability to navigate the smoother greens of Portrush has instilled confidence in his game. Remarkably, none of his eight birdies were within seven feet, with five coming from around the ten-foot range, and he even made a spectacular 35-foot birdie on the sixth. His only bogey occurred on the 11th hole after a drive into deep grass, yet he remains optimistic about his performance. “Overall, I’m hitting the ball solid,” Scheffler commented. “The tournament is only halfway done.”
The leaderboard is becoming competitive, with a group at 5-under 137 that includes Harris English (70), Tyrrell Hatton of England (69), and Chris Gotterup (65), who only entered the tournament after winning the Scottish Open last week. Notably, Bryson DeChambeau made a significant turnaround, improving his score by 13 shots with a 65, though he still trails by 11 strokes.
McIlroy, while pleased to be playing over the weekend, faces a daunting challenge compared to his competitors. Reflecting on his previous experience at Royal Portrush, where he missed the cut, he expressed excitement about the opportunity to compete in front of his home crowd. “I feel like my game’s definitely good enough to make a run,” he said, though he now eyes a considerable climb as Scheffler continues to pull ahead.
As the tournament progresses, one thing is clear: Royal Portrush and its unpredictable weather will continue to test the players, with Scheffler proving to be a formidable contender in the quest for the coveted claret jug.
