Portrush, Northern Ireland. Just when you think Scottie Scheffler can’t go beyond the worthy adjectives paid to his impressive golf game he goes one step beyond and turns heads even more so.

In Thursday’s opening round Scheffler only reached 3 of the 14 fairways – but still posted a remarkable three-under-par 68.

His second-round of 64 was nothing less than a clinic in ball-striking. The round included only one blemish – a single bogey balanced against eight birdies – including two made on the final three holes.

The 28-year-old’s two-round total of 132 is one shot ahead of 2022 US Open winner Matt Fitzpatrick and two ahead of 2023 Open Champion Brian Harman and surprising Haotong Li from China.

Scheffler’s round came via a late day tee time for the second round and with variable weather conditions encountered there was no stopping the tour de force manner of his stellar play.

Not too long ago Tiger Woods weighed in on the quality of Scheffler’s golf game and the 15-time major winner said it simply — if Scheffler is putting well the likelihood of him being beaten is nearly remote.

The top-ranked player in the world leads the field in approach play and is second in the field in terms of putting prowess. Put those two statistics together and you have the foundation for impressive play. And should they continue to be displayed for the final 36 holes the likelihood of Scheffler leaving Royal Portrush with the Claret Jug in his possession is a very real possibility.

Odds and Ends

• The 36-hole cut fell at one-over-par with 70 players making it through to the final two rounds. The most notable turn around was demonstrated by two-time US Open winner Bryson DeChambeau who scored 78 in round one but then bettered that number by 13 shots in scoring 65 and making the cut right on the final number of +1.

• An unfortunate two-shot penalty was applied to Shane Lowry when officials claimed he failed to notice the movement of his ball in the rough on the 12th hole via a camera close-up. Lowry did not see the ball move but the penalty was applied by the 15th hole. The 2019 Open champion who won at Royal Portrush stands at even par 144.

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• Native son Rory McIlroy improved his play from Thursday’s one-under-par 70 with a two-under-par 69. McIlroy finished second in last week’s Scottish Open but will need to overcome a seven shot deficit to catch Scheffler.

• Eight former Open Champions made the cut with Harman leading the way at 134. The oldest among them being 2013 Open winner Phil Mickelson at age 55 with a two-round total of 142.

The Top Stats Of The Day

• Scottie Scheffler is looking to become only the second player to win The Open when being world number one (the last was Tiger Woods in 2000, 2005 and 2006).

• Scheffler’s total of 132 sets a new record for the first two rounds at Royal Portrush (previous best 134 from Shane Lowry and JB Holmes in 2019).

• Four players were bogey-free on day two – Keegan Bradley, Brian Harman, Max Greyserman and Jordan Smith.

• No Silver Medal will be awarded after all nine amateurs missed the cut – the first time since Royal Portrush in 2019.

Related: Round 3 Teetimes

The 153rd Open - Royal Portrush

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