Fitzpatrick is already a major champion, so he knows the merit of a shot-saver, as much as the spectacular strokes that lay the table before, notably those four consecutive birdies from 10-13 when he held a mesmeric control over that little white ball. But that putt only allowed him to cling onto the heels of Scottie Scheffler. <\/a>A telling reminder of what he\u2019ll need to trade blows with the world\u2019s best player over the next 36 holes.<\/p>\n The soggy conditions around Royal Portrush saw Fitzpatrick emerge with a remarkable five-under-par round of 66 to sit at nine-under-par, bettered only by Scheffler at 10-under-par, as he pursues a second major to complement his US Open title. A feat that would cement his place, once again, in Luke Donald\u2019s Team Europe for the Ryder Cup<\/a> this September. Moreover, a second major title would catapult him into rare company. Multiple majors are just held in different esteem.<\/p>\n Read more<\/p>\n Jack Rathborn18 July 2025 21:00<\/p>\n <\/a>More from Matt Fitzpatrick:<\/p>\n “I wouldn’t say I necessarily feel as much pressure.<\/p>\n “He’s going to have the expectation to go out and dominate. He’s an exceptional player. He’s world number one and we’re seeing Tiger-like stuff.<\/p>\n “I think the pressure is for him to win the golf tournament. For me obviously I hope I’m going to have some more home support than him, but it’s an exciting position for me to be in given where I was earlier this year.”<\/p>\n Mike Jones18 July 2025 20:55<\/p>\n <\/a>Matt Fitzpatrick right in contention<\/p>\n Matt Fitzpatrick will be paired with Scottie Scheffler tomorrow. <\/p>\n Can he take on the world No. 1 tomorrow? <\/p>\n Mike Jones18 July 2025 20:50<\/p>\n <\/a>‘Every facet of my game won on today’<\/p>\n He may not have the lead heading into the weekend but two rounds of 67 and 66 have put Matt Fitzpatrick in a great position. <\/p>\n He said: “I felt like every facet of my game was on today and I felt like I really played solid. To take advantage of the opportunities I had out there was obviously really positive.<\/p>\n “I’m giving myself an opportunity to win the golf tournament, but there’s still a hell of a long way to go.<\/p>\n “Obviously the aim of the game is to stay in it for as long as possible and hopefully you can pull away right at the death. I’m obviously 50 percent there.<\/p>\n “We’ll see what the weekend brings.”<\/p>\n Mike Jones18 July 2025 20:44<\/p>\n <\/a>Scheffler misses out on record<\/p>\n Scottlie Scheffler has his eye on the record score at Royal Portrush as he lines up another birdie opportunity on the 18th. <\/p>\n Again, he\u2019s placed himself with a straight putt but this time he leaves it short and has to settle for a round of 64. <\/p>\n That\u2019s seven under for the day and he charges into the lead ahead of Matt Fitzpatrick. <\/p>\n Scheffler heads into the clubhouse with a score of -10 at the halfway stage of the tournament. <\/p>\n He\u2019ll take some beating over the weekend. <\/p>\n Mike Jones18 July 2025 20:32<\/p>\n <\/a>Lowry in the red<\/p>\n Shane Lowry receives a thunderous round of applause and cheers as he strides up to the final green. <\/p>\n He two putts for a par and finishes off with a round on one-under, the same as yesterday. <\/p>\n Good consistency from the former Open champion who will hope to push on tomorrow. <\/p>\n Mike Jones18 July 2025 20:30<\/p>\n <\/a>Rahm bogeys 18<\/p>\n It\u2019s been a frustrating day for Jon Rahm. One full of near misses and slight errors. <\/p>\n He audibly gasps as a simple par putt slides past the hole and drops him down to level par for the tournament. <\/p>\n Rahm will be here for the weekend and he\u2019ll hope the finer margins fall his way. <\/p>\n His playing partner, and defending champion, Xander Schauffele also bogeys and drops to -2. <\/p>\n Mike Jones18 July 2025 20:26<\/p>\n <\/a>McKibbin misses cut<\/p>\n Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin will miss the cut at his home Open after ending the second round on three over par.<\/p>\n He said: “It’s very frustrating. I started off lovely and I was playing lovely. I was one under after seven and made a silly mistake on eight.<\/p>\n “It’s been a frustrating last two days. I’ve played some really nice golf. I think it’s the best I’ve played in the four majors I’ve played in. There was just a few silly mistakes.<\/p>\n “It’s very frustrating with the way I think I’ve been playing. I birdied the first and made some really nice chances, and to drop those shots that I didn’t think were too poor of a shot, they were more of a mistake, that’s what is more frustrating than anything.<\/p>\n “It was a great week, the whole way through with the crowds and everything, but it wasn’t meant to be.”<\/p>\n Mike Jones18 July 2025 20:19<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/GOLF-OPEN-BRITAIN-4dpbi7cq.jpeg\")
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