Staff WriterAt the 153rd Open Championship, the wind wasn’t the only thing howling on Friday—Scottie Scheffler let loose a thunderclap of a round, Matt Fitzpatrick kept the Union Jack fluttering with purpose, and Bryson DeChambeau rose from the ashes like a protein-fuelled phoenix.
Day two at Royal Portrush was a rollicking affair, peppered with drama, redemption, and more plot twists than a soap opera set in a bunker.
Let’s start at the top. No, not the top of the hill behind the 5th tee—though that’s a fine spot for reflection—but the top of the leaderboard.
Scheffler Stomps His Mark
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler has decided that links golf, when played correctly, is no more complex than Sunday morning pitch and putt.
The American sensation fired a scalding seven-under 64—just one shy of the course record—taking a one-shot lead at 10-under-par heading into the weekend.
The Texan turned Portrush into a highlight reel, rolling in eight birdies with all the effort of someone tying their shoes. Only one bogey blemished an otherwise ruthless display.
And make no mistake—he’s not just chasing the Claret Jug. Scheffler’s performance has career Grand Slam implications. You’d need a stepladder to see him from where most of the field stands.
Fitzpatrick: A Steel City Charge
Just one shot adrift is England’s Matt Fitzpatrick, who carded a classy 66 to reach nine-under. He looked as comfortable as tea and biscuits in a Sheffield living room, barely flinching as he manoeuvred through Portrush’s chaos with surgical control.
A brief hiccup on 14 (bogey) did little to rattle his rhythm, and a nerveless up-and-down on the last secured his place in Saturday’s final pairing.
Fitzpatrick, the 2022 U.S. Open champ, now leads the home hopes in pursuit of England’s first Open winner since Sir Nick Faldo took the Claret Jug home in ’92. If that stat doesn’t make you feel old, check your pulse.
Hatton Simmering, Not Boiling (Yet)
Tyrrell Hatton, golf’s answer to a pressure cooker, continued his measured approach with a second-round 69, backing up his Thursday 68 to sit five-under at the halfway point. Surprisingly sedate, the Englishman kept the tantrums tucked away and let his game do the heckling.
He’s still within striking distance, though he’ll need to turn up the heat on Moving Day. One thing’s certain: if Hatton gets hot, you’ll hear about it—from him, and from the fans roaring him on.
Bryson’s Bizarre Revival
Now, onto the performance no one saw coming—not even Bryson himself. After an opening 78 that looked like it was played blindfolded with a cricket bat, DeChambeau blitzed the course with a six-under 65, clawing his way back to one-over and inside the cut.
A 13-stroke turnaround. That’s not golf, that’s sorcery.
With a grin as wide as the North Atlantic, the brawny American admitted he considered heading home. “I almost packed my bags,” he said. Thankfully, he stuck around and gave Portrush its loudest cheer of the day. Never mind his science—this was pure grit.
The Chase Pack
Behind the leading duo of Scheffler and Fitzpatrick, China’s Haotong Li and defending champ Brian Harman sit tied at eight-under after impressive rounds of their own. They’re lurking in the slipstream, waiting for any stumble.
At five-under is a congested pack that includes Hatton, Bob MacIntyre, and Harris English—each within range if the weekend winds cooperate. Rory McIlroy, the local deity, ground out a respectable 69 to reach three-under. It’s not a charge yet, but it’s a flicker of hope in a tournament he’s desperate to win on home soil.
And let’s not forget defending champ Xander Schauffele, who sits at two-under after finding some traction with a 69. He’ll need more than good vibes to retain the Jug, but the DNA’s there.
Cut Made. Dreams Dashed.
The cut fell at one-over, a number that sliced through the field like a poorly timed driver swing.
Bryson’s revival meant others headed home—including a few big names who won’t be sticking around for the sea spray and Guiness.
The Weekend Awaits
As Saturday looms, the 153rd Open Championship feels poised for a dramatic crescendo.
The world No. 1 leads. The Brits are biting at his heels. A mad scientist is back in the lab. The Claret Jug waits patiently, but rest assured—it won’t be handed over quietly.
So settle in, tighten your bucket hat, and brace for the wind and wonder of the weekend. If the first 36 holes were anything to go by, the next 36 will be absolute theatre.
And remember, in links golf, you don’t play the course. You survive it.
