Scottie Scheffler holds lead at midway point of British Open

PORTRUSH – World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler made sure to take full advantage of conditions when it was feasible during the second round of the British Open.

Dodging rain at times, he shot a seven-under 64 on July 18, moving into the top spot at Portrush, Northern Ireland in his bid for a second Major championship of 2025.

“Fortunately, it didn’t pour the whole time,” Scheffler said. “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.”

The American is at 10-under 132 at the tournament’s midway mark, leading England’s Matt Fitzpatrick by one stroke. Fitzpatrick shot 66 in the second round at Royal Portrush Golf Club.

Scheffler played the front side in four under and added four birdies and a bogey on the backside. He has won three times this year, with the PGA Championship in May his second title of the season.

“I felt like I hit a few more fairways than I did (on July 17), hit some really nice iron shots, and was able to hole some putts,” he added.

Fitzpatrick had only seven pars on his card, mixing in eight birdies and three bogeys.

“I felt like every facet of my game was on today and I felt like I really played solid,” he said. “To take advantage of the opportunities I had out there was obviously really positive.”

2023 champion Brian Harman (65) and China’s Li Haotong (67) share third place at eight under.

“I’m not trying to be heroic or do anything crazy,” Harman said. “I know that I’ve got the game to do it, and it’s just a matter of executing and staying in my own head.”

Li, meanwhile, said he was pleased by remaining near the top.

“I think every athlete has been working really hard to get to this point,” he said. “Yeah, just hopefully have another solid weekend.”

First-round co-leader Harris English (70), Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard (68), England’s Tyrrell Hatton (69), Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre (66) and Genesis Scottish Open (July 13) champion Chris Gotterup (65) all are at five under.

American Tony Finau (68) and Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard (69) are at four under.

Other notable names included US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley (67) and Masters champion Rory McIlroy (69) of Northern Ireland being among five golfers tied for 12th place. They are both at three under.

Bradley’s bogey-free round included an eagle on the second hole.

“The shot I hit in there was one of the best shots I’ve hit all year,” he said. “I hit a little hold five-wood in there. It was nice because I really wanted to play the weekend for the first time in, like, years (in this tournament). But I also wanted to play well enough to get myself in position, so that was a great start to the round.”

McIlroy is receiving plenty of attention, and he knows many of the fans are focused on him.

“I’m very excited for that,” he said. “I feel like my game’s definitely good enough to make a run. So as I said, I’m excited for the weekend.” REUTERS