R&A...153rd Open Championship.. Tee Times Leaderboard
World Number One Scottie Scheffler produced the lowest round of the week so far to lead by one shot at the halfway stage of The 153rd Open but he has fellow Major Champion Matt Fitzpatrick breathing down his neck heading into the weekend.
May’s US PGA Championship winner Scheffler carded eight birdies and a single bogey on Friday afternoon to sign for a -7 64 and head into the weekend on -10.
The American turned in 32 after following up a birdie at the first with a hat-trick of gains from the fifth before a late flourish saw him overtake 2022 U.S. Open champion Fitzpatrick at the top of the leaderboard.
Scheffler said: "It felt like I did a lot of things well.
"I holed some nice putts, hit a lot of really good iron shots and I definitely hit a few more fairways than I did yesterday so I'm pretty proud of the number I was able to post.
"I'm excited. Two more days, the tournament's only halfway down and I got off to a good start.
Englishman Fitzpatrick sits one shot off the lead after shooting a -5 66 that featured four consecutive birdies from the tenth.
Fitzpatrick said: "I felt like every facet of my game was on today and I felt like I really played solid. To take advantage of the opportunities I had out there was obviously really positive.
"I've given myself an opportunity to win the golf tournament, but there's still a long way to go.
Chinese star Haotong Li and 2023 Open Champion Brian Harman share third place on -8.
Scotland's Robert MacIntyre is not afraid to attack Royal Portrush when he feels he has a chance to make a move. The three-time DP World Tour winner shot a second-round 66, featuring six birdies and a bogey, to propel himself from level par to -5 and within striking distance of the lead heading into the weekend at The 153rd Open.
"I’m not scared. I’m not going to back away. It’s completely different to Oakmont," said MacIntyre of his intent for the weekend on a course where he finished tied for sixth in 2019.
"Oakmont, I couldn’t roll the dice. It was never ‘Let’s press, let’s press’. It was always, ‘Right, let’s go out here with pars’. "This week, hopefully come the 69th, 70th hole, I’ve got a chance. If I’ve got a chance, I’m going to roll it.
"I’ve got so much more confidence and so much more belief that I am good enough."
edit *** Canadian Corey Conners fought back from an opening 74 with a Friday 69 to make the cut at +1.
europeantour.com
Bryan Angus (edit)
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