PORTRUSH, Northern Eire — Go forward and check out stopping Scottie Scheffler.
That’s changing into about as simple because it as soon as was to beat Tiger Woods when he had the bit in his mouth on the lead.
That’ll be the unenviable process of the gamers trailing Scheffler on the prime of the British Open leaderboard coming into the ultimate 36 holes at Royal Portrush.
It’s a process taller than the swelling dunes across the lovely championship course. As a result of Scheffler, the world’s No. 1-ranked participant, has quietly taken on the sort of intimidation aura that Woods as soon as owned.
Scheffler, who’s looking for a win on the Open this week because the third leg of the profession Grand Slam, tied the event course report along with his 7-under-par 64 in Friday’s second spherical.
Extra impressively for a participant who already has three main championships on his résumé at age 29, the 64 was the bottom rating Scheffler has ever posted in a significant championship.
Scheffler overcame horrible climate situations early in his spherical, which started after 3 p.m. native time. After a day of sunshine and calm winds, some harsh rain and wind lashed by way of as he teed off.
“It was tremendous sunny once we have been on the driving vary, I’m on the market briefly sleeves, it’s heat out,’’ he stated. “Then we get to the primary gap, it’s nonetheless sunny. Then impulsively, you go searching and it’s tremendous darkish and it begins pouring rain. You’re like, ‘Boy, I wonder how long this is going to last?’
“Luckily, it didn’t pour the entire time. We solely had perhaps 4 or 5 holes the place it was actually coming down, and I used to be capable of reap the benefits of the holes the place we had some good climate.’’
None of this bodes nicely for many who path Scheffler’s 10-under complete coming into weekend play.
Scheffler, after enduring the dangerous climate spell, birdied Nos. 5, 6, 7 and 10, after which closed with birdies on Nos. 16 and 17 to get to 10-under.
He performed so nicely that he fully overshadowed the marvelous day Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick had, a 5-under 66 that adopted his opening-round 67.
Fitzpatrick, a former U.S. Open winner, is 9-under and trails Scheffler by one shot — although he was main for a lot of the day. Fitzpatrick carded birdies on eight of his first 13 holes to get to 10-under and nonetheless in some way trails.
Brian Harman, the 2023 Open winner, is 8-under, as is Haotong Li from China.
After that, Chris Gotterup, from Little Silver, N.J. and recent off his Scottish Open victory on Sunday, is 5-under, together with Harris English, Bob MacIntyre, Tyrrell Hatton and Rasmus Hojgaard. Tony Finau and Nicolai Hojgaard are 4-under.
Among the many gamers at 3-under are Rory McIlroy and U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley.
However this event is about Scheffler. Very similar to Woods on the top of his powers, Scheffler is the person to beat every time he’s in any subject.
Requested concerning the stress of being paired with Scheffler within the remaining group Saturday, Fitzpatrick joked, “It’s in all probability nicer than taking part in the U.S. Open.’’
“I wouldn’t say I essentially really feel as a lot stress,’’ he went on. “He’s going to have the expectation to exit and dominate. He’s an distinctive participant. He’s world No. 1, and we’re seeing Tiger-like stuff. I believe the stress is for him to win the golf event.’’
Fitzpatrick is making an attempt to change into the primary Englishman to win a British Open since Nick Faldo in 1992.
“There’s nothing higher than being in rivalry,’’ Fitzpatrick stated. “It feels a bit uncomfortable on the time, however that’s what you’re trying to find. You need to really feel that. It means you’re doing one thing proper.
“It should be unbelievable for Scottie.’’ he added with fun.
Li, who’s not been on this place earlier than in a significant, conceded that there “will likely be a number of stress’’ to the day, for certain, “however [I] simply should discover a solution to cope with that.’’
Harman, who’s unafraid, doesn’t care should you don’t assume he’s a prime participant on the earth. He doesn’t care whether or not you think about him a worthy British Open champion, which he was two years in the past at Royal Liverpool.
Harman needs extra {hardware} and, although 36 holes, he’s put himself in place to hoist the Claret Jug for a second time because of his second-round 65.
“I really feel actually comfy over right here,’’ Harman stated of the hyperlinks golf. “They’re very completely different golf programs (Hoylake and Portrush), however the golf is comparable.’’
Harman stated he plans to “method the weekend the identical manner’’ as he did two years in the past, when he was within the prime 10 coming into the third spherical.
“I’m not making an attempt to be heroic or do something loopy,’’ he stated. “I do know that I’ve acquired the sport to do it, and it’s only a matter of executing and staying in my very own head. I might like to have the same weekend [to 2023] and simply play nice the entire manner by way of.’’
