Scottie Scheffler Grabs Lead at British Open, McIlroy Stumbles

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Scottie Scheffler Grabs Lead at British Open, McIlroy Stumbles/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Scottie Scheffler took the solo lead at the 2025 British Open after an impressive run at Royal Portrush, aiming for the third leg of a career Grand Slam. Rory McIlroy fell back seven strokes as the leaderboard tightened behind Scheffler. Notable performances from Matt Fitzpatrick, Brian Harman, and Li Haotong kept the pressure on during a pivotal moving day.

Scheffler’s British Open Lead: Quick Looks

Scottie Scheffler leads at Royal Portrush halfway through tournament
Scheffler eyeing third leg of career Grand Slam
Matt Fitzpatrick trails Scheffler by one shot
Rory McIlroy falls seven strokes back
Brian Harman, Li Haotong sit two strokes behind
Corey Conners shoots 66 after barely making cut
John Parry aces 13th hole for first hole-in-one
Bryson DeChambeau rebounds from 78 to shoot 65 and 68
Scheffler’s Friday 64 was his lowest major round
DeChambeau sits eight shots back after Round 3

Deep Look: Scottie Scheffler Grabs Solo Lead at Royal Portrush on British Open Moving Day

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — On a day traditionally known for dramatic shifts and leaderboard chaos, Scottie Scheffler remained calm and commanding. At the halfway mark of the 2025 British Open, Scheffler surged into the solo lead at Royal Portrush, setting up a pivotal weekend as he chases history.

Fresh off a career-low 64 in a major, the world’s No. 1 golfer now holds a one-shot advantage over Matt Fitzpatrick, with former Open champion Brian Harman and China’s Li Haotong just two strokes behind.

Scheffler, already a two-time Masters champion and recent PGA Championship winner, is now just two rounds away from claiming the third leg of the elusive career Grand Slam, a feat that only a few legends have achieved — and one that Rory McIlroy completed earlier this year at Augusta.

“We’re only halfway through,” Scheffler reminded reporters. “A lot can change in two rounds.”

But Scheffler’s message didn’t dampen the rising momentum and anticipation, as the Portrush crowd — and the field — scramble to keep pace.

Rory McIlroy Stumbles at Home

It was supposed to be a storybook weekend for Rory McIlroy, playing in front of a home crowd in Northern Ireland. His start was electric — holing a 35-foot birdie putt across the green at the very first hole. The roar from the gallery could be heard from half a mile away.

But the energy faded. McIlroy, despite the passion and pressure of local fans, slipped seven strokes behind Scheffler. With two rounds remaining, the climb back into contention appears steep.

Contenders Stack Up Behind Scheffler

Matt Fitzpatrick, the 2022 U.S. Open winner, remained firmly in striking distance, just one shot behind the leader. His consistency continues to shine in big tournaments, and he’s among the few able to withstand major championship pressure.

Also in the hunt are Brian Harman, who lifted the Claret Jug just two years ago, and Li Haotong, one of Asia’s top golfing talents, both trailing by only two shots.

Corey Conners of Canada was on the brink Friday — making the cut right on the 1-over-par number — but stormed back with a 66 on Saturday, leaping into contention and drawing eyes for a potential weekend charge.

Notable Moments from Moving Day

John Parry of England delivered the first hole-in-one of the championship, acing the par-3 13th hole and igniting the crowd in a rare Saturday moment of magic.
Bryson DeChambeau, who struggled in the opening round with a disastrous 78, turned his tournament around with a 65 in the second round and a solid 68 on Saturday. While still eight shots back, the power-hitting American remains mathematically in the hunt.
DeChambeau’s 13-stroke improvement between Thursday and Friday was one of the most dramatic rebounds in recent Open memory.