The Open

Open Championship: Scottie Scheffler takes lead at Royal Portrush ahead of star-studded chasing pack

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter

Published: July 18 2025 | 22:00

Last updated: July 18 2025 | 22:23

Normal service resumed: Stellar Scheffler takes Open lead ahead of star-studded chasing pack

World number one Scottie Scheffler takes the lead at the halfway stage of the 2025 Open Championship at Royal Portrush.

Scottie Scheffler has surged to the top of the Open Championship leaderboard in a show of dominance at Royal Portrush.

The world number one followed up his opening-round 68 with a sensational 64 that featured eight birdies, two of which came on the 16th and 17th holes.

That late surge proved to be the difference in reaching the halfway stage in the lead after Matt Fitzpatrick holed a long-range putt for par on the last to end round two on nine-under-par.

Fitzpatrick, a former US Open champion, remarkably made three bogeys and still shot a 66 to ensure that he will be in the final group alongside Scheffler for Saturday's play.

Brian Harman, the 2023 Open champion, had earlier fired in a 65 to hold the clubhouse lead, while Li Haotong also ended the day on a tie for third place.

Five players, including Tyrrell Hatton and Robert MacIntyre, are in a share of fifth and five shots off the lead, while Rory McIlroy has to be content with 12th spot.

HUGE hold of par from Matt Fitzpatrick on the 18th ? pic.twitter.com/bytdaOFsqL

— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 18, 2025

McIlroy, one of the hometown favourites, made two birdies and bogeys on his first five holes, but two birdies on a clean back nine ensured that he reached the halfway stage on a positive note.

He is one of five players to sit seven shots adrift, a pack that includes Lee Westwood, while defending champion Xander Schauffele and Justin Rose are in 17th position.

Which big names missed the Open cut?

Former major champions Brooks Koepka, Collin Morikawa, Jason Day and Zach Johnson were among the players to miss the cut.

Koepka and Morikawa both carded second-round 74s to finish on seven-over-par, while Day only missed out by a shot.

Adam Scott, who challenged for last month's US Open, recorded an eight-over-par 79 to finish on nine-over for the tournament, while Australian compatriot Cameron Smith only finished one shot better.