Summary

  1. Join us on Saturday...published at 21:13 British Summer Time 18 July

    Scottie SchefflerImage source, Getty Images

    Scottie Scheffler is in a great position at the halfway point of the Open Championship... He doesn't have a finger on the Claret Jug just yet, but it's firmly in his view.

    We will back tomorrow on the BBC Sport website with live text commentary of the third round and coverage on Radio 5 Live starting at 11:00 BST..

    Did your favourite player make the cut? Check out the leaderboard.

    See you on Saturday.

  2. Leaderboardpublished at 21:10 British Summer Time 18 July

    -10 Scheffler

    -9 Fitzpatrick

    -8 Harman, Li

    -5 MacIntyre, Hatton, Gotterup, English, R Hojgaard

  3. Scheffler and Fitzpatrick have both been exceptionalpublished at 21:07 British Summer Time 18 July

    Graph that shows how Scheffler and Fitzpatrick compare through two rounds for strokes gained: 	Scheffler	Fitzpatrick Total	1st	2nd Off the tee	98th	8th Tee to green	6th	1st Approach	1st	14th Around the green	105th	1st Putting	2nd	44th

    They have both had fine weeks but just look how bad Scottie Scheffler has been relatively speaking off the tee and around the greens.

    He's the best in the field for strokes gained and approach and second in putting but way back for those other two metrics.

    And he has a shot lead!

    Also worth calling out the brilliant consistency of Matt Fitzpatrick. He's been relentless in his own way.

  4. Round of the daypublished at 21:05 British Summer Time 18 July

    We'll give you one guess...

    Media caption,

    Scheffler shoots seven-under 64 to lead Open

  5. Two-shot penalty for Lowrypublished at 21:02 British Summer Time 18 July

    Shane LowryImage source, Getty Images

    Shane Lowry has been hit by a two-stroke penalty by R&A officials

    The Irishman's ball moved during a practice swing on the 12th hole.

    He is now at level par rather than two under.

  6. Postpublished at 21:01 British Summer Time 18 July

    BBC Two

    Now the shots of the day have whet your appetite, make sure to head over to BBC Two or to BBC iPlayer to watch full highlights of a fascinating day.

  7. A feast for the eyespublished at 21:01 British Summer Time 18 July

    While you've followed every word religiously today, you'll also be wanting to see plenty of those shots that have thrilled at Royal Portrush today.

    Here are the pick of bunch from the second round.

    Media caption,

    Westwood & DeChambeau star in shots of the day

  8. Postpublished at 20:55 British Summer Time 18 July

    And what about Rory McIlroy? He had his moments today in his round of 69. He's seven shots off the lead at three under but there's plenty of golf to be played.

    Media caption,

    McIlroy needs '100% conviction to give himself a chance' at The Open

    Media caption,

    'Huge roar!' - McIlroy birdies on the 14th

  9. 'Just one of those days' - Jordanpublished at 20:50 British Summer Time 18 July

    Jordan -2 (72)

    Matthew Jordan on day two of The Open, PortrushImage source, Getty Images

    It was a fine round for another English Matt, as Jordan carded 72 on day two.

    It puts him at two under for the tournament although he felt frustrated afterwards.

    "Certainly after [the bogey at] 17, I had a bit of lack of concentration. It had just started to pour again and I just huddled under the umbrella and I didn't probably really concentrate, so that was certainly sour.

    "I guess the annoying thing was I made mistakes, but stayed patient and kind of got them back. I started to get some momentum and as soon as I did, I hit a good drive that somehow ended up in the bunker on 14, and it felt a bit like that really.

    "It was just one of those days."

  10. Scheffler 'doing Tiger-like things'published at 20:46 British Summer Time 18 July

    Fitzpatrick -9 (66)

    More from Matt Fitzpatrick, who will be paired with leader Scottie Scheffler tomorrow:

    "I wouldn't say I necessarily feel as much pressure.

    "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.

    "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."

  11. 'Every facet was on today'published at 20:40 British Summer Time 18 July

    Fitzpatrick -9 (66)

    Matt Fitzpatrick on the greens

    England's Matt Fitzpatrick was delighted with his round of 66:

    "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.

    "I'm giving myself an opportunity to win the golf tournament, but there's still a hell of a long way to go.

    "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.

    "We'll see what the weekend brings."

  12. Postpublished at 20:38 British Summer Time 18 July

    Stat fact on The Open being held at Portrush

    That does give hope to the likes of Tyrrell Hatton and Bob MacIntyre who are currently in a tie for fifth.

  13. Postpublished at 20:33 British Summer Time 18 July

    Fitzpatrick -9 (66)

    Scottie Scheffler's frankly ridiculous round should not be allowed to overshadow what was a terrific performance from Matt Fitzpatrick.

    Make no mistake, the Englishman is very much in this.

    And here's why.

    Media caption,

    Fitzpatrick continues to shine at The Open

  14. Postpublished at 20:32 British Summer Time 18 July

    Lowry -2, C Morikawa +8, Scheffler -10 (18)

    Matt Gault
    BBC Sport NI senior journalist at Royal Portrush

    Fair play to those who stuck around at the 18th green. They got a good look at the world's best player.

  15. Scheffler shoots 64published at 20:30 British Summer Time 18 July

    Lowry -2, C Morikawa +8, Scheffler -10 (18)

    Shane Lowry goes agonisingly close with a monster putt, but comes up just short. He taps in for par.

    It's a similar story for Scottie Scheffler, who is much closer to the hole but leaves it a couple of inches short. He finishes with a second-round 64 which leaves him 10 under and a shot clear at the top.

    A quite brilliant round of golf from the world's number one player.

  16. Postpublished at 20:26 British Summer Time 18 July

    Lowry -2, C Morikawa +8, Scheffler -10 (17)

    Scottie Scheffler lands his second shot on the par-four 18th on the green. If he can slide this in from 15 feet he will have a two-shot lead at Royal Portrush,

    Shane Lowry has just been given a magnificent reception after making his way on to the green on the final hole. He too is looking for a birdie, but is some 50ft away.

  17. Closing bogeys for Schauffele and Rahmpublished at 20:21 British Summer Time 18 July

    Rahm E (72), Schauffele -2 (69), Spaun E (69)

    Disappointing finish for defending champion Xander Schauffele who duffed his second shot to the green, overcooked his chip and then missed his par putt.

    He finishes up at two under par in a round that promised a bit more.

    That disappointment will be shared by Jon Rahm who also misses for par and looks thoroughly fed up with his day out on the Northern Irish coast.

    At times, JJ Spaun was exceptional, and climbed up to three under par but coughed up bogeys down the stretch to finish at level.

    We'll see all of these guys tomorrow though.

  18. Postpublished at 20:15 British Summer Time 18 July

    Clark E (16)

    The 2023 US Open champion Wyndham Clark bogeyed the first hole to drop to six over par and I thought he was probably heading home.

    But what a performance he's put in since. Seven birdies on his card and he'll have an 11-foot putt for an eighth at the 17th.

    Quietly putting together one of the best rounds of the day.

  19. Scheffler takes overall leadpublished at 20:10 British Summer Time 18 July

    Lowry -2, C Morikawa +8, Scheffler -10 (17)

    Scottie Scheffler has swaggered to the top of the leaderboard after he casually rolls in a 14 footer at the 17th for a birdie.

    He has a one shot-lead over Matt Fitzpatrick with one hole for the American to play.

  20. Burns saves parpublished at 20:10 British Summer Time 18 July

    Burns -3 (69)

    Warm applause for Scottie Scheffler's big mate Sam Burns as he tidies up on the 18th green.

    He's shot a two-under 69 today to sit at three under par.

    Playing well - but a long way behind his pal at the moment.

    As for playing partner Brooks Koepka, the five-time major champ will be leaving early. He's finished at +7.