Scheffler wrests control

HOME FAVOURITE MCILROY FALLS SEVEN BEHIND AT BRITISH OPEN

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>>PORTRUSH: Scottie Scheffler ignited his bid for a maiden British Open title by surging through the field to take a one-shot lead after the second round at Royal Portrush on Friday.

The world No.1 brushed aside two torrential rain showers in Northern Ireland to fire a seven-under-par 64, the best round of the week so far, and send an ominous warning to his title rivals.

He is 10-under 132 overall at the halfway stage, one stroke clear of Matthew Fitzpatrick.

“Fortunately, it didn’t pour the whole time,’ said Scheffler after his lowest round in a major.

“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.”

Fitzpatrick produced a brilliant 66 to boost his hopes of becoming the first English winner since Nick Faldo claimed his third title in 1992.

Brian Harman, the 2023 champion, is one shot further behind on eight-under, alongside China’s Li Haotong.

Home favourite Rory Mcllroy carded a two-under-par 69 to reach three-under 139 for the tournament, but is already seven strokes off the pace.