PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler fired his lowest-ever round in a major, a 7-under 64, to seize a one-shot lead at the halfway point of The Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
Navigating wild afternoon weather that saw him start in a short-sleeved shirt and finish under an umbrella, Scheffler carded eight birdies to reach 10-under 132. His commanding performance included three consecutive birdies to erase an early deficit and two more near the end of his round to claim the top spot.
England’s Matt Fitzpatrick is his nearest challenger, sitting one stroke behind after a 66. The former U.S. Open champion was equally dynamic, starting his back nine with four straight birdies before a missed 5-foot par putt on the 14th slowed his momentum.
“I felt like every facet of my game was on today and I felt like I really played solid,” Fitzpatrick said.
Two shots off the lead are 2023 champion Brian Harman and China’s Haotong Li. Harman, capitalizing on calmer morning conditions, posted a bogey-free 65, while Li shot a 67 to join him at 8-under par.
The rest of the field is five or more strokes behind, including home favorite Rory McIlroy, who shot a 69 but lost significant ground.
Scheffler’s performance has drawn comparisons to golf’s most dominant eras. He is the first world No. 1 to hold at least a share of the 36-hole lead at The Open since Tiger Woods in 2006, an event Woods went on to win.
“He’s going to have the expectation to go out and dominate,” Fitzpatrick said of Scheffler. “He’s an exceptional player. He’s world No. 1, and we’re seeing Tiger-like stuff.”
Despite his commanding position as he chases the third leg of the career Grand Slam, Scheffler remained focused. “Overall, I’m hitting the ball solid,” he said. “The tournament is only halfway done. I got off to a good start.”
The group at 5-under 137 includes Harris English (70), Tyrrell Hatton (69), and Chris Gotterup, who shot a 65 after gaining entry by winning last week’s Scottish Open.
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