Highlights and Moments from Round Two of The 153rd Open Championship 2025 | Scheffler Goes Low Leads

The second round of the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush delivered thrilling moments and shifting momentum as the battle for the Claret Jug heated up. Under improving conditions and softer greens, players took advantage early and often, setting up a stacked leaderboard heading into the weekend. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler delivered a flawless finish to reach 10-under, and stole the solo lead late in the day making a strong push for his first Open title. Matt Fitzpatrick continues to shine, carding a brilliant round to climb to 9-under. Brian Harman and Li Haotong, both putting together rock-solid rounds to remain in the hunt at 8-under.

Meanwhile, hometown hero Rory McIlroy shot a composed 69 to move to 3-under, keeping his championship hopes alive just five shots off the lead. He’s part of a tight chasing pack that includes big names like Jon Rahm, Tom Kim, Rickie Fowler, and Justin Rose, all within striking distance as the cut line hovered around +1. Friday also featured stellar performances from Robert MacIntyre, Rasmus Højgaard, Chris Gotterup, Tyrrell Hatton, and Harris English, each sitting at 5-under after two consistent rounds.

Tensions rose in the afternoon as Shane Lowry faced a potential rules controversy regarding a drop on the 14th, adding another layer of intrigue to a loaded day. As players prepare for Saturday’s critical Moving Day, the stage is now set for a dramatic weekend finale in Northern Ireland.

Featured names from Round 2:
Scottie Scheffler (–10)
Matt Fitzpatrick (–9)
Brian Harman (–8)
Li Haotong (–8)
Robert MacIntyre (–5)
Rasmus Højgaard (–5)
Chris Gotterup (–5)
Tyrrell Hatton (–5)
Harris English (–5)
Rory McIlroy (–3)
Jon Rahm (–2)
Tom Kim (–2)
Rickie Fowler (–2)
Justin Rose (–2)

Catch all the best shots, momentum swings, and leaderboard shake-ups from Round 2 in this full recap video. As the world’s best prepare for the weekend grind at Royal Portrush, The Open Championship 2025 is far from over.

two goods. Great chance to spark the round right here and get this crowd going. And it will. Now DJ, we’re keeping a keen eye on him. He’ll be here for the weekend. Should be. Oh, right into the cloth of the flag. And there we are. Kick in Berley to get back to level par. Left of the green here. Hang on. He’s on four over playing his third shot. That could be a shot that matters. Oh, hello. [Applause] Talk about the weather, the difficulties of it. There we are. Opening with a birdie, the world number one. Great start. Go. Oh man, what a shot from. Big cut landing softly. Keep coming. Keep coming. Oh, huge roll on the T at six. Hoy guard at that hole location just on the right side there over the false front. This needs to hang on. Oh boy, did he get a good break there. Wow. Used the slope over there. I don’t think to, but he did. [Applause] out to 13. Dashambo using the contours. Tony beautifully played. [Music] What do you tell yourself last night when it the breaks don’t go your I want to go home. Um but you know I woke up this morning I said you know what I can’t I can’t give up. My dad always told me never to give up. Just got to keep going. And that’s what I did today. And I was proud of the way I fought back. really really persevered through some emotionally difficult moments and to hold myself together and not get pissed and slam clubs and throw things and all that um like I wanted to like I was very proud of myself trying to grab the solo lead. [Applause] [Music] Oh, wait a minute. Hang on a second. Wait a minute. This was high. And good. Mhm. All right. Two from two so far in this group. Karen [Music] Tur managed to get some nice grooves on that one. Beautiful shot. [Applause] Perfect online though. See the distance. I think it’s decent. Oh, it’s certainly decent. What a shot. How on earth did you get it to stop like that? Swing is looking pretty tasty, isn’t it? His rhythm, his timing, his accuracy. Oh my. Oh my. See, that’s how you play it. [Applause] [Music] Back to back 30 birdies. First round to six. Yes, seven birdies in 11 holes. The Englishman Matt Fitpatrick takes the lead in the open. And look at that card. How tongue Lee trying to grab the lead all to himself. And he does. Well, we see him go to double figures today. Over at the 12th with Mark Leechman. So close to winning in 2015 at St. Andrews. need that to get to six under on the day. He’s going to go five under. Beautiful. That was a perfect spot to come from on that green. Ricky Fowler was on the T at 13. 200 yd today. Plays downhill 10 yd and just beyond this flag. It goes off the back of the green. Look at this. Oh, Ricky. What a shot at 13 for felling. Not a break in it. Not a break in it. Oh, wonderfully done. Right in the middle. Just like that, the lead’s now two for Brian Hammed. His fifth 30 of the day. This will be to move to five under par. Oh, never a doubt. Never left the middle of the hall. Last week’s winner of the Scottish Open. He’s making a move. Justin Rose for birdie. A three. Saw that nice T- shot just behind the hole. Go to the right. does double breaker. Nice read. Justin Rose suddenly just won back of the lead. Come out from down in the Dell for Mark Lee. Oh, unbelievable. What a shot. What a way to finish on a piece of string. Vunderbar. It’s a 65 today from Brian Harmon. Just turn from there. Has he got enough pace? Has he got enough pace? Oh, many feet. What a beautiful puck to finish with. Looks like a good line. He’s a nice straight bounce and gets one and quality plus. Will he be able to reach the hole from there to tie the lead? Oh, Scotty joins with Patrick at nine under par. One of the best iron players in the game. Cody Connors and this one is pretty much right at it. Oh, go on. The 16th. No, a hole in one. The 16th of Port Rush is beyond other holes in one. Get it. There’s that man. There is that name. World number one all by himself at the top. Well, really, he said he hit one bad drive yesterday in the second. This was the worst drive today that we’ve seen. Comes back with birdie there. Just hands in the pockets. Ho h. No big deal. I’m leading another major.