Matt Fitzpatrick’s commendable 66 has placed him in a prime position to break a 33-year drought for an English winner of The Open, but he’ll have to overcome the formidable world No.1 Scottie Scheffler to achieve this feat. Just moments after the 2022 US Open champion reclaimed his spot at the top of a major leaderboard with a nine-under-par total at Royal Portrush, his American adversary fired off consecutive birdies at the 16th and 17th holes, wresting the lead from the Sheffield golfer.
The victor of May’s US PGA appeared in formidable form as he reached 10 under – his round of 64 featured eight birdies, a missed putt at the last for another, and just a single bogey – and he seemed unperturbed even as the week’s heaviest rain soaked the links for a good 45 minutes. The last world number one to either lead or share the lead after 36 holes of an Open was Tiger Woods back in 2006. He went on to triumph and based on this performance, it would be unwise to bet against the bookies’ favourite securing his first Claret Jug and the third leg of a career Grand Slam.
However, if Fitzpatrick can sustain his newfound form, he might just stand a chance. Starting at four under, as one of the first-day co-leaders, he was the first to reach double figures following four consecutive birdies, having turned in a two-under 34.
His round burst into life on the back nine and, when he hit a superb approach at the short 13th to six feet for a fourth birdie in a row, he was 10 under and two clear.
The Yorkshire golfer experienced a rollercoaster round, giving up a shot at the 14th and fluffing a golden opportunity to extend his lead with a shocking miss from close range at the 17th. However, he made amends with a brilliant 23ft par save on the final hole, only for Scheffler to surge ahead with an impressive charge.
“I’m giving myself an opportunity to win the golf tournament, but there’s still a hell of a long way to go,” the 30-year-old, set to join Scheffler in Saturday’s headline final pairing, said. “Obviously the aim of the game is to stay in it for as long as possible and hopefully you can pull away right at the death. I’m 50 per cent there.
“I wouldn’t say I necessarily feel as much pressure (as Scheffler). He’s going to have the expectation to go out and dominate.
“He’s an exceptional player. He’s world number one and we’re seeing Tiger-like stuff. I think the pressure is for him to win the golf tournament.”
Scheffler, meanwhile, delivered a masterclass with a 64, his lowest score in a major, and distinguished himself as the sole golfer to birdie the daunting short 16th twice, putting him five under for the par threes this week.
Reflecting on his performance, the American shared: “I felt like I hit a few more fairways than I did yesterday, hit some really nice iron shots and was able to hole some putts.
“I feel I am hitting the ball pretty solid and I am excited for the rest of the tournament. We are only halfway done.”
The 2023 Open champion Brian Harman surged up the leaderboard with a score of 65, placing him third on eight under alongside China’s Li Haotong. Ryder Cup teammates Tyrrell Hatton (69) and Robert MacIntyre (66) are tied for fifth place on five under.
Masters champion and local favourite Rory McIlroy is tied for 12th position after a round of 69 left him three under.
