It was pouring rain over Portrush, but Matt Fitzpatrick didn’t seem to mind one bit.
After months of struggling to find form, the 2022 US Open champ looked like a man reborn—confident, calm, and totally in control.
The only problem? He’s chasing a player who seems to be playing in another dimension altogether: world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.
With two rounds down and two to go, the weekend at The Open is shaping up to be a thriller.
Fitzpatrick, after shooting an impressive 66, now sits at nine under par.
That makes him the leading English hope to finally bring home the Claret Jug—something not done since Sir Nick Faldo in 1992.
But Then There’s Scheffler… Flying Just a Bit Higher
Of course, no story about this Open would be complete without talking about Scottie Scheffler.
His second-round 64 was nothing short of sensational.
Playing in miserable conditions didn’t faze him a bit—he just kept knocking down birdies like it was a sunny afternoon stroll.
At ten under, Scheffler heads into the weekend with a one-shot lead, and given the way he’s swinging, it’s hard not to feel like he’s the man to beat.
His mix of calm, control, and low-key brilliance even seems to transcend the dreary weather and unpredictable links terrain.
Fitzpatrick’s Climb Back to the Top
Let’s rewind a bit. Not long ago, Fitzpatrick was in freefall.
From being ranked eighth in the world, he slipped all the way to 85th between early 2024 and spring 2025.
He made headlines in March when he parted ways with longtime caddie Billy Foster, but maybe that was the shake-up he needed.
Lately, his form’s been climbing fast—17th, then 8th, then 4th just last week in Scotland.
And now, at Portrush, he’s thriving. After turning in 34 on the front nine Friday, he caught fire on the back, rolling in four consecutive birdies—including one at the notoriously stingy 11th, where just 16 players managed a birdie all day.
Missed Putts and Big Saves
It wasn’t all perfect, though. Fitzpatrick had a frustrating three-putt at the second hole and missed a golden chance to reach 10 under when a short putt at the 17th spun around the cup and stayed out. Gut punch.
But he rebounded at the 18th with a clutch 23-foot par save that kept him firmly in contention.
Despite the downpour during the late tee times, Fitzpatrick was pleased:
“I felt like every facet of my game was on today… I’ve given myself a chance to win, but there’s still a long way to go.”
Meet the Chase Pack: Harman, Hatton, and Li Step Up
Close behind is Brian Harman, sitting one shot back at eight under after a solid 65.
He’s not someone you want breathing down your neck—he’s gritty, sharp, and yes, still remembered as the ‘Butcher of Hoylake’ from last year.
Li Haotong has also come roaring back with his best form in ages, and he’s tied with Harman.
Meanwhile, Tyrrell Hatton, who’s surviving on Guinness and Netflix, is five under and looking surprisingly at ease, alongside Scotland’s Bob MacIntyre.
MacIntyre, ever the optimist, said:
“It could be anyone’s time. I feel good. I’m not scared. I’m not going to back away.”
Scheffler’s Unshakable Game in Rough Conditions
Back to Scheffler. He’s had a curious week, admitting that winning tournaments has become so routine that it barely excites him anymore.
He even joked that winning a fourth major might make him feel satisfied… for about 20 minutes.
Yet, his game is doing the talking. After some tee troubles on Thursday, he fixed it fast—hitting six of the first seven fairways on Friday and reeling off birdies like a machine.
His only stumble came at the 11th when a drive into the rough led to a missed up-and-down.
No big deal—he bounced back with more birdies on the way in.
Bryson Recovers, Lowry Caught in a Rules Twist
Bryson DeChambeau had a nightmare 78 on Thursday but came back strong with a 65 on Friday.
He’s at one over and won’t win, but he showed plenty of fight just to make the cut.
Shane Lowry, the 2019 champ, posted a 70 and sits at two under—but his round came with controversy.
On the 11th, he changed his shot plan after addressing the ball, which then moved.
Since he didn’t replace it, he may face a two-stroke penalty. It’s now up to the rules officials.
Big Names Exit as Surprises Rise
Not everyone will see the weekend. Major winners Brooks Koepka, Collin Morikawa, and Cameron Smith all missed the cut—Smith especially struggled, carding a painful 78 to drop to eight over.
Even Adam Scott couldn’t survive the storm, shooting 79.
And then there was South Africa’s Shaun Norris, whose claim to fame this week is a 10 on the fourth hole.
That’s a sextuple-bogey, in case you’re wondering.
Weekend Outlook: Wide Open… Sort Of
With 36 holes to go, the leaderboard is tight enough to keep the drama alive—but let’s be honest, Scheffler is the man with the momentum.
Still, Fitzpatrick is back in form, Harman is lurking, and players like Hatton and Li can never be ruled out on links turf.
If the conditions continue to swing wildly, don’t be surprised if someone comes from just off the pace and makes a real push.
But if Scottie keeps playing like this, the rest of the field may need a little magic—or a monsoon—to stop him.