PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland (AP) — Brian Harman delivered a stunning performance during the second round of the British Open at Royal Portrush on Friday, shooting a remarkable 6-under 64. This impressive score positions him as the frontrunner heading into the weekend, as he seeks to secure another coveted claret jug title.
Known in the press as the “Butcher of Hoylake” following his win at Royal Liverpool two years ago, Harman’s exceptional golfing skills were on full display. He played a bogey-free round, with just one moment of tension when he had to scramble for par. The weather at Royal Portrush was surprisingly cooperative, featuring mild temperatures and a breeze that was noticeable yet manageable, allowing for good scoring conditions that players were happy to take advantage of.
“They’re very different golf courses, but the golf is similar,” Harman remarked, alluding to the challenges presented by both venues. “You’ve got to be able to flight your golf ball. You’ve got to know how far everything’s going. Then you can’t get frustrated. You’re going to end up in funny spots where it doesn’t seem fair, and you just have to kind of outlast that stuff.”
Finishing at 8-under 134, Harman holds a three-shot lead over a group of competitors, which includes Harris English (70), his former teammate at the University of Georgia, Rasmus Hojgaard of Denmark (68), Tyrrell Hatton from England (69), and Robert MacIntyre of Scotland (66).
Rory McIlroy, who also broke par for the second consecutive day, struggled to gain ground during his round of 69. Despite thousands of spectators cheering for him along the hilly course, the anticipated roars were few and far between as McIlroy fought to keep pace. He expressed satisfaction in making the cut, reflecting on his previous disappointment in 2019 when he missed it by just one stroke at the same venue.
“I didn’t have this opportunity six years ago, so to play an extra two days in this atmosphere in front of these crowds, I’m very excited for that,” McIlroy stated. He remains optimistic about his game, believing he has what it takes to make a run during the weekend.
Scottie Scheffler, who played in the afternoon, showcased his skills with a strong start, landing his second shot to 6 feet for a birdie on the opening hole. However, his round was interrupted by a sudden downpour that brought out umbrellas and some of the heaviest rain seen throughout the week—though it was brief.
Reflecting on his past successes, Harman mentioned his commanding five-shot lead after the first 36 holes at Hoylake in 2023, which he ultimately extended to six by victory's end. This time, he anticipates a tighter contest, but his game continues to impress, as he found himself in an advantageous position throughout his round—often putting for birdie and never straying far from the fairways.
Among those chasing Harman is Keegan Bradley, the Ryder Cup captain who is attempting to make his case as the first American playing captain since 1963. After winning at the Travelers Championship, Bradley is beginning to show proficiency in links golf, an area where he has previously struggled. He carded a 67 on Friday, starting strong with an eagle on the second hole, a shot he described as one of the best he has executed this year.
“It was nice because I really wanted to play the weekend for the first time in, like, years,” Bradley commented. He expressed his hopes of playing well enough to remain competitive heading into the later rounds.
