Scottie Scheffler surged to the top of the leaderboard at the 153rd Open Championship, firing a brilliant 7-under 64 on Friday to grab a one-shot lead heading into the weekend at Royal Portrush.
The world No. 1 sits at 10-under par through 36 holes, continuing his remarkable 2024 campaign. Scheffler’s precision off the tee and touch around the greens has been exceptional in the challenging Northern Irish conditions.
England’s Matt Fitzpatrick is hot on Scheffler’s heels after posting a solid 66, putting the 2022 U.S. Open champion just one stroke back at 9-under. Fitzpatrick’s ball-striking has been impeccable, particularly with his irons.
Two shots off the pace at 8-under are defending Open champion Brian Harman, who carded a 65 on Friday, and China’s Haotong Li, who followed up his opening round with a steady 67.
What makes Scheffler’s position particularly dangerous for the field is his recent major championship success. He’s already captured three major titles, including this year’s Masters, and his comfort level on links courses seems to be growing with each round.
The weekend forecast calls for changing conditions, which could test the leaders’ ability to adapt their games. Scheffler’s versatility might prove to be his biggest advantage as he looks to claim the Claret Jug for the first time.
