Scottie Scheffler ignited his bid for a maiden British Open title by surging by way of the sector to take a one-shot lead after the second spherical at Royal Portrush on Friday.
The world No. 1 brushed two torrential rain showers apart in Northern Eire to fireplace a seven-under par 64, the perfect spherical of the week thus far, and ship an ominous warning to his title rivals.
He’s 10-under general on the midway stage, one stroke away from Matthew Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick produced a superb 66 to spice up his hopes of changing into the primary English winner since Nick Faldo claimed his third title in 1992.
Brian Harman, the 2023 champion, is one shot additional behind on eight-under, alongside China’s Li Haotong.
Dwelling favorite Rory McIlroy carded a two-under par 69 to succeed in three-under for the match, however is already seven strokes off the tempo.
Scheffler struggled off the tee on Thursday however nonetheless scored a first-round 68 to take a seat one stroke off the in a single day lead.
He acquired his second spherical off to a flying begin with a first-hole birdie in driving rain.
The PGA Championship winner then reeled off three consecutive birdies from the fifth gap, together with a 34-foot putt down the hill on the par-three sixth.
A second downpour performed its half in a uncommon bogey on the eleventh, however Scheffler rapidly responded together with his sixth birdie of the spherical on the par-three thirteenth.
The three-time main champion picked up one other shot on the treacherous sixteenth, dubbed “Calamity Nook”, earlier than reaching 10-under on the seventeenth regardless of hitting his drive into the group.
One final birdie putt pulled up simply in need of the final gap, however Scheffler might be a agency favorite going into the weekend as he eyes his fourth win of the yr.
Former US Open champion Fitzpatrick reeled off 4 straight birdies at the beginning of the again 9 to briefly attain 10-under, earlier than giving a shot again on the 14th.
He missed a three-foot birdie putt on the penultimate inexperienced however made up for it by draining a 23-footer for par on 18.
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“He’s world No. 1, and we’re seeing Tiger-like stuff. I feel the stress is for him to win the golf match,” Fitzpatrick stated, looking forward to taking part in with Scheffler in Saturday’s ultimate group.
McIlroy stays in contact
McIlroy’s roller-coaster match continued, as his errant driving prevented him from taking full benefit of fantastic early scoring situations.
However the world No. 2 discovered his groove late in his spherical, making two birdies in his ultimate seven holes to remain in contact.
“I really feel like I possibly may very well be a pair nearer to the lead, however general in an honest place heading into the weekend,” stated Masters champion McIlroy.
Robert MacIntyre, hoping to develop into the primary Scottish main champion since Paul Lawrie in 1999, cruised into competition with a 66 to succeed in five-under.
Dwelling favorite Rory McIlroy carded a two-under par 69 to succeed in three-under for the match, however is already seven strokes off the tempo.
| Photograph Credit score:
Getty Photographs
Dwelling favorite Rory McIlroy carded a two-under par 69 to succeed in three-under for the match, however is already seven strokes off the tempo.
| Photograph Credit score:
Getty Photographs
MacIntyre is stage with Englishman Tyrrell Hatton, additionally looking for a maiden main title, Danish teen Rasmus Hojgaard and Scottish Open champion Chris Gotterup.
Shane Lowry, who received the match when it was final performed at Portrush in 2019, was handed a two-stroke penalty after his spherical as a result of ball transferring when he took a follow swing on the twelfth gap.
Second-round scores from the 153rd British Open(GBR & IRL except said/par 71):
- 132: Scottie Scheffler (USA) 68-64
- 133: Matthew Fitzpatrick 67-66
- 134: Brian Harman (USA) 69-65, Li Haotong (CHN) 67-67
- 137: Rasmus Hojgaard (DEN) 69-68, Tyrrell Hatton 68-69, Robert MacIntyre 71-66, Harris English (USA) 67-70, Chris Gotterup (USA) 72-65
- 138: Tony Finau (USA) 70-68, Nicolai Hojgaard (DEN) 69-69
- 139: Keegan Bradley (USA) 72-67, Rory McIlroy 70-69, Jordan Smith 71-68, Lee Westwood 69-70, Sam Burns (USA) 70-69