Scheffler edges one ahead at Royal Portrush
England’s Matt Fitzpatrick was sizzling hot on the second day of the 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland (17-20 July). The 30-year old from Sheffield shot a miraculous eight birdies in his round to get to 9-under par for the championship just one wee stroke behind the leader, the formidable World Number One, Scottie Scheffler.
On a beautifully sunny day, Matt Fitzpatrick launched his attack on the links course of Royal Portrush in County Antrim by opening with a birdie. A few holes later the rain began to fall but that did not affect the Englishman.
Fitzpatrick went on to birdie the 4th, 6th, 7th holes on the first nine before a delightful run of four consecutive birdies from the 10th to the 13th. Fitzpatrick was really on a roll. His card was blemished by just three bogeys. Alas, he did miss a short birdie putt on the not-so-long par-4 17th. This slip-up cost him a valuable shot whereby he finished with a round of 66 for a 9-under par tally instead of a share of the lead on 10-under with Scottie Scheffler.
In 2022, Matt Fitzpatrick won the US Open when it was played at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. He won by one stroke from two Americans. Who were they? Well, Scottie Scheffler was one and the other was Will Zalatoris. And, interestingly, Matt Fitzpatrick is now up against the mighty Scottie Scheffler once again.
Early leaders at Royal Portrush
It was an intriguing day on the links course in the morning full of great shots and monster-long holed putts as well as a number of embarrassing entanglements with the deep, deep rough. In no time at all, there were seven players in a tie for the lead on 4-under: Christiaan Bezuidenhout (South Africa), Brian Harman (USA), Harris English (USA), Jacob Skov Olesen (Denmark), Haotong Li (China) and Matt Fitzpatrick (England). Tucked-in close behind them on 3-under were a further six players including Scottie Scheffler.
Five-times Major winner, Rory McIlroy made a birdie at the first and then sprayed his tee-shot at the par-5 second way right and close to the out-of-bounds. However, the Masters winner of this year kept his cool and made a steady par here to finally card a 2-under par 69 to get to 3-under for the championship with a share of 12th place.
England’s Tommy Fleetwood got off to a flying start with three consecutive birdies and finished with a promising round of 68. Tyrrell Hatton was striking the ball superbly at Royal Portrush and soon got himself into contention. The Englishman holed his third birdie of the day at the 9th hole to tie for the lead with Brian Harman (USA) and Rasmus Hojgaard (Denmark). The 153rd Open Championship was really hotting-up!
Indeed, Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre was also enjoying the course. The 28-year old left-handed golfer rolled-in putts from everywhere to secure an impressive round of 66 for a share of fifth on 5-under par. Rasmus Hojgaard holed an enormous putt too on the final hole to equal MacIntyre’s score.
The winner of the Scottish Open last week, Chris Gotterup, is still showing great form. He did not just win the Scottish Open but earned himself an invitation to play in the Open for the first time in his golfing career. The American carded a super 65 to share fifth spot with MacIntyre and Hoijgaard.
Another left-handed golfer Brian Harman (USA) delighted his fans by shooting a 65 for a tally of 8-under for the Open. The winner of the 2023 Open Championship at Royal Liverpool is truly enjoying some spectacular golf once more.
World Number One shines on links course
When Scottie Scheffler was playing the sixth hole, the sun began to shine again. Interestingly, the World Number One opened with a birdie and then went on to make an incredible seven more. One bogey on his card meant that he just missed out on making a course record of 63 at Royal Portrush. His par down the last earned him a 64 and the outright lead in the game’s oldest championship, the Open.
Who missed the weekend cut?
Well, seventy players survived the halfway-cut which came at 2-over par. Among those heading home early after missing the cut by one tiny shot were Jason Day and Ryan Fox from New Zealand and Italian Matteo Manassero.
Sunday will be another great test of golf at Royal Portrush. Can Scottie Scheffler pull-off another Major victory? Will Matt Fitzpatrick fizz again and win the Open? Or will we see a new name on the Claret Jug? Please prepare yourself for another exciting day of golf!
Wendy Hoad
Editor
MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: England’s Matt Fitzpatrick in the limelight at Royal Portrush. MINIS (l-r): Tyrrell Hatton (England), Shane Lowry (Ireland), Brian Harman (USA) and Jacob Skov Olesen (Denmark). BELOW: Scottie Scheffler (USA).