Scheffler's Magic at Royal Portrush
If you thought the world No. 1 might take his foot off the gas at golf's oldest major, Scottie Scheffler just proved otherwise. With a jaw-dropping 6-under 64 during his second round at Royal Portrush, Scheffler didn’t just survive the tricky links course—he dominated it. Now sitting at 10 under par after 36 holes, he holds onto the lead by a single stroke as the pressure bubbles up heading into the weekend.
Scheffler’s sizzling round wasn’t some runaway fueled by luck; it was all skill and timing. He ranked second in strokes-gained putting and was number one in approach shots. Time and time again, his irons sailed dangerously close to the flag, while his putter bailed him out anytime he needed, including several clutch moments late in the round. His near-miss on a 15-foot birdie at the last hole kept him just shy of a two-shot cushion, adding a spark of drama as he signed his card with a slim lead.
The Chasers: Fitzpatrick, Harman, and DeChambeau
Don’t count on a Saturday stroll for Scheffler, though. Just behind him is the persistent Matt Fitzpatrick, who keeps hovering within arm’s reach. Fitzpatrick, fresh off that U.S. Open trophy in 2022, looks like a player who’s comfortable with high stakes and unpredictable weather. He isn’t alone—Brian Harman and Bryson DeChambeau both fired magnificent 65s to leap up the Open Championship leaderboard.
- Harman, who conquered the elements to win the Open in 2023, is showing once again why he thrives on links golf. His ability to handle wind, unpredictable bounces, and quirky greens pumps life into every round he plays on British shores.
- Then there's DeChambeau, whose reputation as a 'grip it and rip it' big hitter left many wondering how he’d fare on a course that punishes recklessness. After a shaky 78 on Thursday, he flipped the script with a masterful 65, mixing touch and power in a way that raised eyebrows and erased doubts about his versatility on links turf.
Every year, the R&A, which governs this historic championship, celebrates golfers who master not just the fairways but the testy greens. This edition’s highlight reel features Scheffler’s pure putting stroke in pressure situations—something that’s fast becoming his calling card on this side of the pond.
After two days of fireworks and drama, the Open at Royal Portrush is shaping up for a classic finish. Scheffler’s got the hot hand but Fitzpatrick, Harman, DeChambeau, and a handful of chasing challengers are right there, waiting for the smallest slip.
