Scottie Scheffler is leading The Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland after an impressive second round, reinforcing his status as the world’s No. 1 golfer and tournament favorite. His outstanding performance and ease on the greens have set him apart as he heads into the weekend with a one-shot lead.
On Friday, Scheffler shot a 7-under 64, showcasing remarkable consistency despite fluctuating weather conditions. Playing in the late afternoon, he kept pace with contenders like Matt Fitzpatrick and Brian Harman, yet steadily pulled ahead by positioning himself expertly on the greens hole after hole. His dominance in strokes gained on the greens reflects his precision and control throughout the round.
Scheffler made eight birdies with only a single bogey, splitting his score evenly with 32 strokes on both the front and back nines. His performance was particularly strong on par threes at 3-under, while slightly under par on par fives. When reflecting on his round, Scheffler expressed satisfaction but remained measured.
Overall, I’m hitting the ball solid,
Scheffler said.
The tournament is only halfway done. I got off to a good start.
—Scottie Scheffler, World No.1 Golfer
How Scheffler’s Skills Are Impressing Fellow Competitors
Scheffler is not only excelling on the greens but also ranking fourth in strokes gained on approach shots and 13th in strokes gained tee-to-green. His overall lead in total strokes gained is a full stroke ahead of the closest competitor, with a score of 7.41 compared to 6.41. This level of performance underlines why he is dominating the field so far.
Matt Fitzpatrick praised Scheffler’s play after his own round, drawing comparisons to one of golf’s greatest legends.
Exceptional player, world number one, we’re seeing Tiger-like stuff,
Fitzpatrick said. —Matt Fitzpatrick, Professional Golfer
When discussing his unexpectedly low score, Scheffler admitted that the unpredictable weather influenced the round significantly.
I had no idea. It all depends on conditions. When we were teeing off, depending on what weather forecast you looked at, it was going to tell you something different,
Scheffler said,
It was super sunny when we were on the driving range, I’m out there in short sleeves, it’s warm out. Then we get to the 1st hole, it’s still sunny. Then all of a sudden, you look around, and it’s super dark, and it starts pouring rain. You’re like, ‘Boy, I wonder how long this is going to last.
Fortunately, it didn’t pour the whole time. We only had maybe four or five holes where it was really coming down, and I was able to take advantage of the holes where we had some good weather.
—Scottie Scheffler, World No.1 Golfer
Scheffler’s Recent Performance Trends and Historic Opportunity
Since March, Scheffler’s finishes have demonstrated remarkable consistency, including a T2 and fourth-place at The Masters and solid finishes at other major events. His wins at The CJ Cup, PGA Championship, and The Memorial Tournament underscore his rise as a dominant force. He also posted strong outings at the Charles Schwab Challenge, U.S. Open, Travelers Championship, and Genesis Scottish Open, building momentum heading into The Open.
According to Data Golf, Scheffler’s probability of winning the tournament currently stands at 56%, a substantial lead over the second-highest contender, Fitzpatrick, at 17%. This statistical advantage reflects just how much better Scheffler has been compared to the rest of the field through the first 36 holes.
If Scheffler can hold onto his lead and secure the Open Championship title, he would join an elite group of golfers—Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus, and Tiger Woods—who have won the Masters, PGA, and Open Championships before turning 30. Achieving this feat would place him in some of golf’s most celebrated company and highlight a career destined for greatness.