PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland – World number one Scottie Scheffler conjured up a brilliant 64 to lead the British Open after an enthralling second round as home favourite Rory McIlroy’s roller-coaster ride continued at Royal Portrush on Friday.
American Scheffler finished on 10 under par, one clear of Matt Fitzpatrick who carded 66 to boost his hopes of becoming the first Englishman to lift the Claret Jug since Nick Faldo in 1992.
American Brian Harman, the 2023 Open champion who made a big move with a flawless 65, and China’s Li Haotong were a further shot back.
Scheffler, a three-times major champion seeking his first British Open title, racked up four birdies on the front nine and four more after the turn, a bogey at the 11th hole the only blemish in a sublime display of shot-making.
“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.
“We only had maybe four or five holes where it was really coming down (raining), and I was able to take advantage of the holes where we had some good weather.”
Fitzpatrick made four birdies going out and an inspired run of four more in a row lifted him two shots clear of the field.
A bogey on 14 dropped him back, however, and the 2022 U.S. Open champion missed a three-foot birdie putt on 17 before holing a nerveless 23-footer for par at the last.
“Giving myself an opportunity to win the golf tournament, but there’s still a hell of a long way to go,” he said.
“The aim of the game is to stay in it for as long as possible and hopefully you can pull away right at the death.”
Li picked up five birdies in his first 12 holes, but the world number 111 bogeyed the 14th hole, his first dropped shot of the tournament.
Li, who finished third in the 2017 Open after shooting a closing 63, safely parred the last four holes to complete a second successive 67.
“Very pleased, I didn’t expect this,” he said. “Actually, the last few holes being quite easy I got lucky.”