The second round of The Open produced record-equalling rounds, some big names moving up the leaderboard, others missing the cut and late controversy at a sun-baked Royal Birkdale.
The upshot of it is that LIV Golfer Lucas Herbert leads the way, but he will face a stern test of his nerves on Moving Day with some big names in pursuit.
The big talking points of the morning wave belonged to Herbert and Sam Burns.
Herbert, whose best Major finish was T13 at the 2022 PGA Championship, produced a sublime round of 62 to take command of proceedings, overtaking first-round leader Jackson Suber on eight under.
It could have been even better for the Australian, but his short putt for par at the 18th missed left, seeing him miss out on the lowest men's Major score in a single round in history by just one.
As it is, he joined Branden Grace, Rickie Fowler, Xander Schauffele and Shane Lowry as players with the joint-lowest score.
On the bittersweet moment at 18, Herbert said: “I’m absolutely disappointed, and at the same time, so proud of today. Very, very proud to put my name on that list of guys that have shot 62 in a Major championship.”
Incredibly, it only took a few more minutes until the latest name was added to that exclusive list, when Sam Burns also shot 62 to move to five under. He did it in dramatic circumstances, too, with a birdie at the 18th from a greenside bunker, to the delight of the crowd.
Burns admitted afterwards he wasn’t aware of his achievement until later on, saying: “Yeah, I had no idea until they told me up there. I didn't realise that was the case. Yeah, I'm very pleased with it.”
At that stage, many of the really big guns had yet to begin, but when they did, it wasn't long until they began making some stories of their own.
One of the game’s superstars with an outside chance is Rory McIlroy, whose two over on Thursday left him with some work ahead to make the cut. In the end, he managed it comfortably enough thanks to a 67 to move to one under.
With a deficit of seven, McIlroy won't feel as though he's out of contention just yet, but some other high-profile players will feel far more confident of their chances.
One is the defending champion, Scottie Scheffler, whose two under leaves him tied for eighth, four back of Herbert.
He's joined in that position by local hero Tommy Fleetwood, who had the backing of a raucous crowd as he made three birdies in his last five holes.
Jon Rahm is another in T8 following a 67 that leaves him well-placed for a run at his maiden Open title despite receiving a code of conduct warning for throwing his club.
However, none appeared able to match a resurgent Bryson DeChambeau, who thought he had shot a brilliant 66 to move just one behind Herbert in solo second.
Not so fast, though. Once the LIV Golfer had completed his round, he was summoned to the fifth, where he had earlier hit a provisional after finding the thick rough with his initial tee shot.
Surprisingly, a marshal found his original ball, which he played on the way to making a bogey. While it seemed he’d done a reasonable job of damage limitation, later, there were rumblings over whether he had improved his lie.
The potential penalty facing DeChambeau? Two shots and dropping three back of Herbert.
Back at the scene of the alleged offence, DeChambeau's body language suggested he was struggling to make his case and, sure enough, news later came that the LIV Golfer would be handed the penalty for a violation of Rule 8.1.
Part of a statement read by Chief Global Golf Alliance Officer of The R&A, Grant Moir, explained: "Bryson has been penalized two strokes for inadvertently improving the area of his intended swing so the intended backswing on the 5th hole when he was playing his 2nd shot.
"Rule 8.1 restricts what a player may do to improve any of the protected conditions affecting the stroke. And this includes the area of the player’s intended swing."
That decision ensured that a day of talking points continued as the sun began to set.
As a result of the penalty, DeChambeau drops to T5. In a tie for second and two back of the lead are Suber, Cameron Young and Ryan Gerard, who, along with Herbert, are all eyeing the chance of a maiden Major title, with star players lurking.
While the top of the leaderboard contains a fascinating mix of Major winners and tournament outsiders, other big names, including Matt Fitzpatrick, Jordan Spieth, Wyndham Clark and Cameron Smith, all missed the cut following a day of drama and controversy amid some brilliant Open golf.
The Open leaderboard 2026
The Open projected cut: +1
NOTABLES TO MISS THE CUT:
- +2 Cameron Smith (F)
- +2 Aaron Rai (F)
- +3 Justin Rose (F)
- +3 Tom Kim (F)
- +3 Wyndham Clark (F)
- +4 Matt Fitzpatrick (F)
- +4 Joaquin Niemann (F)
- +10 Jordan Spieth
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HELLO AND WELCOME
Welcome to Golf Monthly's second round coverage of the 2026 Open at Royal Birkdale.
Today could be an historic one with Lucas Herbert currently nine-under-par for his round. A par-par finish will set the lowest score ever recorded in a Major.
HERBERT ON FIRE
Lucas Herbert has just hit a wonderful pitch shot from the dirt, left of the 17th green, and he has 10ft for his tenth birdie of the day!
LUCAS HERBERT CHASES HISTORY
The Australian's birdie effort slides by the left side on 17, meaning he will head to the 18th tee at nine-under-par for the day.
A par to finish and he'll shoot a 61, the lowest round in men's Major history.
HERBERT IN TROUBLE ON 18
The Australian pulls driver out and hits a slice up the right rough. Not in too much danger but certainly not ideal.
BRILLIANT FROM POTGIETER
The South African only got into the field via Louis Oosthuizen's withdrawal on Monday, and he will be here for the weekend after an eagle-par finish to post +1 for his opening two rounds.
HERBERT'S SECOND SHOT INTO 18
Remember he needs a par to shoot 61, the lowest ever round shot in a men's Major...
Herbert has an okay lie in the dry, wispy rough and from 173 yards he pulls out a 9-iron. It's straight at the flag but comes up just short of the green.
Up and down for history.
HERBERT FOR BIRDIE
The Australian putts it from the fairway from some 70ft and it comes up around 5ft short.
He'll have that putt to shoot 61.
HERBERT FOR HISTORY
Lucas Herbert steps up for par on 18...and he pulls it left. Ouch.
The lowest round in men's Major history remains 62.
WHAT A ROUND
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MATT FITZPATRICK IN REAL DANGER OF MISSING CUT
The World No.3 was among the tournament favorites this week but he is +2 for the day and +4 for the tournament with just three holes remaining. Unless he finishes spectacularly, he will be one of the big names heading home early.
HERBERT'S MISS ON 18 FOR A 61...
WHY HERBERT AVOIDED A RULES PENALTY AFTER RANGEFINDER CONFUSION...
Confusion arose on Friday, as Herbert's caddie was seen using a rangefinder during The Open Championship, but all was cleared up just moments later.
MCILROY UPDATE
Rory McIlroy has been excellent today, carding four birdies and one bogey through 15 holes.
It means he has jumped from +2 to -1 and can now start to forget about the cut and think about making his way into contention.
SAM BURNS SHOOTS A 62
The American holes it from the bunker at the 18th and ties Herbert's eight-under round of 62!
He goes from three-over-par to five-under, with Burns currently in a share of third.
GOTTERUP STAYS TWO-UNDER
He's playing some excellent golf and, on Friday, Chris Gotterup fires a two-under 68 to finish his day two-under.
He is just outside the top 20 and will safely make it through to the weekend.
ANOTHER HISTORIC 62 FROM SAM BURNS
Out of the sand and into the record books.Sam Burns also cards an impressive 62 at Royal Birkdale. pic.twitter.com/CtpUsfQfzNJuly 17, 2026
LOWRY BIRDIES 18
The Irishman cuts a very happy figure after a birdie on 18 to shoot 68 for a three-under-par total.
SCHEFFLER UP NEXT
The World No.1 is next on the 1st tee alongside Bryson DeChambeau and Tyrrell Hatton.
CUT IS CURRENTLY AT LEVEL PAR
The cut has moved to level par but it will surely move back this afternoon as the course continues to firm up. The afternoon starters definitely have tougher conditions vs the morning wave.
MCILROY PARS 17
The World No.2 misses a 15ft birdie putt on 17 and will head to the 18th tee at one-under.
If he can make a 3 and reach two-under, he is well in this still.
WHO HAS SHOT 62 IN MEN'S MAJORS?
Today is the third day in the history of men's Major golf where there have been multiple 62s. There have now been sevens 62s, shot across four different days.
The last time that happened was three years ago at the 2023 US Open at LACC, where Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele shot the score.
- Branden Grace: 2017 Open, Royal Birkdale, 3rd Round
- Rickie Fowler: 2023 US Open, Los Angeles Country Club, 1st Round
- Xander Schauffele: 2023 US Open, Los Angeles Country Club, 1st Round
- Xander Schauffele: 2024 PGA Championship, Valhalla, 1st Round
- Shane Lowry: 2024 PGA Championship, Valhalla, 1st Round
- Lucas Herbert: 2026 Open, Royal Birkdale, 2nd Round
- Sam Burns: 2026 Open, Royal Birkdale, 2nd Round
ADAM SCOTT ON LUCAS HERBERT:
"He's got a lot of game. He's a big, strong guy. This is a pretty out there comment because I don't know his game inside and out, but I would fancy him around a links. I see him playing shots.
"So when he's on, I feel like the links kind of would really suit him because he can be creative and get more reward for it on the links rather than some other tracks.
"I think he grew up down in Melbourne, as well, on some firm and fast conditions. I'd say he's probably got a pretty high level of comfort for it."
CAM YOUNG UP TO SIX-UNDER
The World No.3 goes 67-67 to put himself right in the mix for a maiden Major title this weekend.
Young was 2nd at the 150th Open four years ago and played in the final group of the 2026 Masters so he'll feel very comfortable on Saturday.
RORY MCILROY ON 18...
The World No.2 misses the green left on 18 from just 160 yards to leave a tricky pitch shot over a bunker.
It's a gorgeous chip that settles just a few feet beyond the pin and that'll be a par for a three-under-par 67. Good day's work.
CAM SMITH ON OPEN LEADER, AND RIPPER GC TEAMMATE, LUCAS HERBERT:
"Yeah, just he works hard. He keeps wanting to get better. He was already good when he come and joined the Rippers a couple years ago, and you've seen him go from strength to strength. I feel like the team environment has really helped him, and he's asked questions.
"Now I think he's learned everything he needs to learn, and he's taking advantage of it and playing really good golf. And he's so confident at the moment. Like once he gets going, like this morning I'm sure he's just hitting it in there to three and four feet on every hole and making putts. Like once he gets his irons going, it's pretty cool to watch."
ALEX FITZPATRICK TO FOUR-UNDER
The Englishman makes his third birdie of the day at the 12th to move into a tie for 6th.
There will only be one Fitzpatrick here this weekend, and it's not World No.3 Matt
AMATEUR UPDATE
Sadly there are no amateurs inside the cut line as things stand.
2025 US Amateur champion Mason Howell shot 69 today courtesy of three birdies in his final five holes and is at two-over-par, which could well advance if winds get up this afternoon and the course continues to firm up.
LUCAS HERBERT: DISAPPOINTED AND PROUD
"I'm absolutely disappointed, and at the same time, so proud of today," he said.
"Very, very proud to put my name on that list of guys that have shot 62 in a Major championship. So it's kind of holding two emotions there at the same time.
"It's a tricky one, and I'm sure once the dust settles, I'll be able to sort of decompress it a little bit. Right now I've sort of got both going on, and it's a pretty good problem to have too, to be disappointed you shot 62."
FLEETWOOD BIRDIE
A huge roar erupts at the 2nd as home favorite Tommy Fleetwood rolls in a 15-footer for a birdie 3. A fist-pump too!
That gets him up to two-under-par.
RYO HISATSUNE'S BOGEY-FREE STRETCH ENDS
The Japanese PGA Tour player has just made a bogey at the 5th, meaning he started the 154th Open with 22 bogey-free holes. Impressive stuff.
One impressive streak that hasn't ended is his run of 19 consecutive PGA Tour cuts made, which is the third-longest on tour.
Hisatsune is currently three-under in T12th.
RORY MCILROY (-1) AFTER HIS 67:
"I think the main objective today was to be here for the weekend, which I am," he said.
"I felt like I left a couple out there. Then you look at the board and you see a couple of 62s, and you feel like you could have done a bit better.
"Yeah, get off to a decent start tomorrow. There's a couple of guys up there, this will be sort of their first experience of playing in the lead at a Major championship on the weekend, so there's obviously some that are very experienced at it like Cam and like Sam as well.
"I think if I can get off to a decent start tomorrow, be 4- or 5-under for the tournament, I'll be right in it."
STEADY START FROM THE MARQUEE GROUP
Scheffler pars the third and remains level, while both DeChambeau and Hatton also par to remain on the same score for the round.
WE CAN'T RELATE
Lucas Herbert says it's a pretty good problem to have when you're disappointed to shoot 62 😅 We'd agree! pic.twitter.com/wpobSzzucRJuly 17, 2026
FITZPATRICK REACTS
Arguably, the biggest surprise of the week has been Matt Fitzpatrick, who misses the cut despite showing incredible form coming into the championship.
Speaking after his round, the Major winner stated: "This week, you've just got to look at three or four holes for me.
"I've hit decent shots, gotten no luck and come away with four-over-par. That's the way links golf is. You need to have that rub of the green sometimes, and I didn't have it this week.
"I didn't feel like I hit many bad shots all week. It's a golf course that's just awkward when it plays like this."
BRYSON BIRDIES
Impressive birdie from DeChambeau at the par 3 fourth, with the American following a great tee shot with a 20-foot birdie putt. He moves to four-under.
In the group, meanwhile, Scheffler pars and Hatton drops a shot to fall back to level-par.
GO ON BOBBY MAC
It's been a muted round from Robert MacIntyre, so far, with the Scotsman making just one bogey and 12 pars.
At the par 5 14th, though, he slams his birdie putt in from 15-feet to get back to level-par for the round and three-under for the championship.
SHOT FROM TOMMY
Fleetwood produces an excellent tee shot at the par 3 fourth, leaving himself around 15-feet for a birdie. He narrowly missed one at the third, but is one-under for the round today.
Rahm finds the greenside bunker, while Spieth also finds the short grass, leaving 25-feet for birdie. He just gained a shot at the third following a nice putt.
MOLINARI ROLLING BACK THE YEARS
Francesco Molinari saves par on the 10th hole from off the green. He stays at -4. pic.twitter.com/9tDFR4yCZlJuly 17, 2026
OH BRYSON...
After birdieing the fourth, DeChambeau carves his tee shot miles right at the driveable fifth, with it landing in the hazard.
He will have to reload as that is certainly lost.
GO ON TOMMY LAD
Fleetwood's hot start continues, with the Englishman birdieing the par 3 fourth.
He has made an excellent start, sitting two-under for the round and three-under for the championship.
DROPPED SHOT FROM RAHMBO
Rahm plays a good bunker shot at the fourth, but is unable to convert the par putt. He drops back to one-under.
Up ahead, Scheffler goes for the green and finishes left of the bunkers. Hatton, meanwhile, finds the greenside bunker and will have a tricky shot coming up.
DeChambeau, with his provisional, pulls his drive left and will have work to do to make a bogey.
WORK TO DO FOR HOVLAND
Not the start he was looking for, as Viktor Hovland drops four shots in three holes.
He bogeyed the fourth and double bogeyed the fifth, with his putt at the sixth missing on the right-side.
Hovland was level-par, but drops to four-over and has work to do to make the cut.
HUGE BREAK FOR BRYSON
Somehow, the marshals locate DeChambeau's first tee shot at the fifth and he is able to play it forward from the thick rough.
Using his power, the ball comes out well and races across the green. He will have a tough up-and-down coming up, but that is a big break for the two-time Major winner.
BIRDIE CHANCES FOR SCOTTIE AND TYRRELL
Both Scheffler and Hatton play great shots in to the fifth, with both leaving six-footers for birdie.
ALEX FITZPATRICK GOING WELL
He's three-under for his round through 15 holes and is four-under for the championship.
Brother Matt may have missed the cut, but Alex is in contention going down the last few holes.
WHAT ON EARTH?
Im has a hybrid in hand but, from a downhill lie, he fires the shot into the base of a bunker a few yards in front of him and that is a big mistake from the South Korean.
He's going along nicely at four-under, but will have work to do to save par at the par 5 14th.
SCHEFFLER BIRDIES
Hatton misses his short birdie attempt at the par 4 fifth, while Scheffler birdies to get to three-under.
DeChambeau, meanwhile, gives back his birdie from the fourth, as he bogeys the fifth following a missed putt. Given the tee shot, that's not a bad score for the American.
NEVER IN DOUBT
After that bizarre shot from Im, he manages to save par from the fairway bunker... never in doubt!
BIRDIE FOR RAHM
After dropping a shot at the fourth, Rahm plays a great chip at the fifth and taps in for birdie. He goes back to two-under.
Fleetwood pars and remains three-under, while Spieth also birdies and is now inside the cutline at one-over. Good start for the 2017 champion.
BROWN STILL FIGHTING
Birdieing the 14th, Daniel Brown moves to three-under and his love affair with The Open Championship continues in Southport.
He finished T10th in 2024, and is currently T13th right now. One-over for the round, he is three-under for the championship.
LIV GOLFERS GOING WELL
Thomas Detry pars the final hole and he produces a one-under 69 on Friday. He is four-under overall and the joint best LIV Golfer, so far.
Victor Perez, who enjoyed a good week at the Genesis Scottish Open, makes back-to-back birdies at the 11th and 12th to move to four-under also.
DARTS FROM THE MARQUEE GROUP
Scheffler and Hatton fire in absolute darts at the par 3 seventh, with their tee shots right down the flag and finishing 15-feet short.
DeChambeau, meanwhile, also finds the green, but is slightly further away than his playing partners.
TEAM FLEETWOOD
The @TommyFleetwood1 fan club is out in full force at Royal Birkdale. pic.twitter.com/QbHVpOsm9dJuly 17, 2026
SHOTS FOR TEAM EUROPE
Rahm's inconsistent start continues, with the Spaniard bogeying the sixth. That's two birdies, two pars and two bogeys to begin his second round.
Fleetwood does well to save par at that par 4, rolling in a 10-footer to keep three-under.
Up ahead, Hatton birdies the seventh and moves back to one-under for the championship.
WE AGREE TIGER
Lookin' good out there @TommyFleetwood1July 17, 2026
EAGLE FROM MACINTYRE
His round had been missing excitement but, at the par 5 17th, MacIntyre finds the green with his second and holes a 40-footer for an eagle!
He goes from three-under to five-under, and finds himself in a share of fourth alongside Sam Burns. Excellent from the Scotsman.
FITZPATRICK TO FIVE-UNDER
Incredible birdie from Fitzpatrick at the par 5 17th, who plays one of the shots of the championship.
Up against the lip of the greenside bunker, he takes an almighty swipe and manages to get it to three-feet.
It deserved a birdie, and that's what he gets, as Fitzpatrick moves to five-under.
SPIETH GOING BACKWARDS
He started so well, but Spieth bogeys the sixth and then double bogeys the par 3 seventh.
What's more worrying is that the American three putted from four-feet... He drops back to four-over-par and is well back of the cutline.
OUTRAGEOUS FROM FITZY
Sensational by Alex Fitzpatrick from the bunker on the par-5 17th. It results in a birdie and he moves to -5. pic.twitter.com/y9IqOWIsoYJuly 17, 2026
PARS AT THE EIGHTH
Hatton and Scheffler leave good birdie chances at the eighth, but both miss their putts on the low-side.
DeChambeau, meanwhile, finds the greenside bunker with his approach, but plays a great third to three-feet. He converts and that superb save keeps him three-under.
HOMA MAKES THE WEEKEND
That is so gutsy from Max Homa, who finishes birdie-par-eagle-par to finish even and make the cut.
Excellent golf from the American, who seems to be starting to find some form over the last few weeks.
BRYSON GOES FOR THE GREEN AT THE NINTH
Rory McIlroy drove the green again today and, at the ninth, DeChambeau pounds his tee shot over the corner and just misses the short grass to the right hand side.
CLOSE APPROACHES
Rahm and Scheffler show off their skills at the eighth and ninth, with both sticking their second shots to around six-feet.
In Rahm's group, Fleetwood is unable to get up-and-down for par, with the Englishman finding the bunker off the tee. He drops to two-under.
RAHM CONVERTS
Sure enough, Rahm converts the birdie and he is now two-under-par.
Up ahead, DeChambeau nearly chips in for an eagle at the ninth. He'll make birdie and move to four-under.
MACINTYRE BOGEYS THE LAST
Eagle putt sank by Robert MacIntyre on the penultimate hole of his second round. He moves to -5. pic.twitter.com/N9p0mlOwrCJuly 17, 2026
This eagle put him to two-under, but MacIntyre makes a bogey at the 18th and signs for a one-under 69.
He is four-under at the halfway stage and well in contention going into the weekend.
FRONT NINE COMPLETE
Fleetwood narrowly misses his birdie attempt at the ninth and he goes out in one-under. Currently, he is two-under for the championship.
Rahm, following a great approach, sees his birdie putt slide by the right-side and he matches Fleetwood in being one-under for the round and two-under for the championship.
Spieth, meanwhile, pars the eighth and ninth to remain four-over.
GREAT SHOT FROM SCOTTIE
From the thick rough, Scheffler controls his shot perfectly with a wedge in hand. He leaves himself a great look at birdie on the 10th.
Hatton and DeChambeau, meanwhile, also find the short stuff, but are significantly further away than the World No.1.
TOUCH FROM BRYSON
Brilliant up-and-down by @brysondech on the 9th as he moves to -4.Follow DeChambeau, Scheffler and Hatton: https://t.co/iry73fxk6j pic.twitter.com/lI3CFoUuCGJuly 17, 2026
ANOTHER MISSED PUTT FOR SCOTTIE
His putter has been ice cold today and, at the 10th, Scheffler pulls his birdie attempt left. It's another good chance missed for the World No.1.
BROWN DROPS A SHOT AT THE LAST
It's a rollercoaster finish for Brown, who finishes eagle-bogey to fire a one-over 71.
Sitting three-under, it's still a good day for the Englishman, who is just five back of leader, Herbert, going into the weekend.
JT BATTLING HARD
He started his second round with a double bogey, but Justin Thomas is battling hard on Friday.
Since that double, he has been three-under and has left a great chance for another birdie at the par 4 11th.
RAHM MAKES A MOVE
We're seeing some fist pumps now in the evening sunshine. Ryan Gerard makes a par at the ninth to stay at four-under, shortly before Rahm rolls in a birdie at the 10th. He's at three-under now.
FRUSTRATION FROM ROSE
It doesn't look like it's going to be Rose's year. The Englishman misses a par putt at the par-3 12th and falls back to four-over. The cut line looks to be staying at one-over. As it misses, Rose shows some animation - a rare sigh from him.
SCHEFFLER AND DECHAMBEAU IN CLOSE
Scheffler and DeChambeau are in really close at the par-4 11th. Both produce delightful approaches with Scheffler at 15-20 feet or so and DeChambeau at kick-in range.
Elsewhere, Josele Ballester eagles the 17th to reach two-over and give himself a shot of making the cut with a birdie at the last...
ONE MISSED, ONE MADE
Scheffler takes a solid run at it, but the ball lips out. More frustration for the World No.1. They're just not dropping like they used to. But they are for DeChambeau.
The LIV man is up to five-under and into a tie for fourth after knocking in a three-footer.
CHANCE FOR FLEETWOOD
A perfect tee shot leaves Fleetwood around 150 yards into the par-4 11th. He produces one of his trademark cut-off follow throughs and the ball lands 12 feet away long and left. That's a good look at birdie.
TOUGH 12TH
The flag on the par-3 12th looks so tough to access. It's only 175 yards but it's tucked on the right side with danger all around. Plus the wind is out of the right. DeChambeau gets lucky as his ball just about stays on the putting level out to the left.
Meanwhile, Hatton and Scheffler are on the green and have mid-to-long-range looks at birdie. Scheffler, as you might expect, is hole-high.
HENLEY EASES CUT FEAR
Russell Henley sinks an absolute bomb at the par-4 13th to reach even par and ease his concerns regarding the cut. That looks almost certain to stay at one-over now.
BALLESTER SNEAKS IN
What a way to make the cut! Josele Ballester needed a birdie at the 18th to finish on one-over for the Championship, and he's going to do it courtesy of an absolute dime! The approach ends at a distance not even I could miss and the Spaniard should now be here at the weekend. Bravo.
SLIP FROM HATTON
A three-putt at the par-3 12th is going to cost Hatton a shot and he's now at even par. The Englishman is ticking as well, slamming down his putter and muttering a curse word or two on his way off the green.
His playing partners, Scheffler and DeChambeau, go close but it's no cigar and they walk off with pars.
UP AGAINST IT
Fleetwood's tee shot at the par-3 12th isn't quite right. He over-draws the ball down into a little area off the left side. From there, the putt is far too heavy-handed and the Englishman will have an awkward left-to-right slider down the hill for par from about six feet.
TOMMY BOGEY
And it doesn't drop, despite burning the edge. Fleetwood falls back to one-over, and he knows that was a poor hole from him.
BRYSON EYEING UP SECOND
Woof, what a shot from DeChambeau at the par-4 13th. He took an 8-iron from 223 yards, which is a wild statement in itself, and poked it to eight feet or so courtesy of subtle draw. Delightful. If he can make that, it'll be a share of second at six-under.
Scheffler follows him in to the centre of the green, but he's a little farther out. More like 30 feet.
GERARD HUNTING BIRDIES
Ryan Gerard is just behind these marquee groups, but he's playing just as well - if not better - than most of them. He almost reaches six-under at the 11th, but it's a kick-in par instead.
WIDE RIGHT
DeChambeau wastes that world-class approach by pushing his birdie attempt out to the right at the 13th. Scheffler had already gone close as well. Nothing happening at the moment for this group as Hatton scrambles a par from the green-side pot bunker.
PEREZ BOGEY AT THE LAST
How on earth has stayed up? Victor Perez hits a solid putt at the last for par, but it lips out via a 270-degree tour of the top and he'll sign for a 69 today. Three-under for The Open.
ROSE STAYING ALIVE
He's running out of time to save his Open chances, but Rose just cannot afford bogeys at this stage. A par at the 14th isn't ideal, but it keeps him alive with chances to come.
PUTTS NOT DROPPING
Fleetwood and Rahm are suffering from similar issues. They're hitting good putts at great paces, but they're just not dropping. Another set of pars for Team Europe's Ryder Cup heroes at the 13th.
ROCKET DRIVES
It's driver for all three at the par-5 14th, but only two end up miles down the runway. DeChambeau goes first and fires one to the moon. That is huge and could have put 350 yards in danger. It has to be over 350, surely.
Scheffler's tee shot is a cracker as well, right down the middle and around the 350 mark, just a little less.
It's not so good for Hatton, however, who draws his ball so far left it's landed in a spectator area left of the rough. In a way, that's a good break, but the Englishman looked like he considered snapping his driver at one point as he walked off the tee.
MCDONALD HOLE-OUT
Ooh what a moment for Scotland's Jack McDonald! At the par-4 10th, the young pro holes out from 114 yards for eagle. That shifts him up to one-over par and inside the cut line. He celebrates with two arms in the air. What a shot!
Delightful eagle from Jack McDonald from 114-yards, boosting his chance of making the cut. pic.twitter.com/FNNKREY3mFJuly 17, 2026
WIZARDRY FROM THOMAS
Justin Thomas doesn't have the best Open record, but it looks as though he will certainly make the cut this year at worst. He's currently into the top-20 after a beautifully delicate bunker shot at the par-5 14th which presented him with a kick-in birdie.
DENIED
The 14th is just shy of 600 yards and it's playing every inch of that at the moment. Hatton and Scheffler both come up just short in two, as does DeChambeau. It looked as though the LIV man was just going to sneak it on, but Royal Birkdale's mounds had other ideas. Denied.
All three will be chipping to try and make another birdie.
DECHAMBEAU DUFFS IT
That is a poor chip from Bryson. He makes nowhere near the right contact and leaves his ball about halfway between himself and the pin. Very unlike him.
Hatton was much more crisp with his pitch shot and has no more than 10 feet remaining.
Scheffler's chip was an awkward one from the closest range, but he should be able to make birdie from four feet. That was a delicate touch from the World No.1.
FINAL GROUP RACING THE SUN
The final group out today are only just finishing up at the 10th. The sun goes down in around two hours and 20 minutes' time. Good luck completing today, chaps.
HATTON REVERSES RECENT MOMENTUM
Hatton is a top putter, and he uses that skill to slam the brakes on this negative momentum via an excellent birdie putt at the 14th. He's back to one-under.
On the flip side, almost, Scheffler finally makes a putt! The World No.1 currently ranks dead last in terms of SG: Putting this week but is first for driving accuracy and 4th in terms of SG: Approach. He potentially begins an upward climb with the flat stick and is now at four-under.
Meanwhile, DeChambeau goes close from 23 feet but it doesn't drop.
CAN HE?
Justin Rose pops in a mid-range birdie putt at the par-4 16th... A par five and the 18th to come. There might still be hope for Rose. One-over is the target and he's currently at three-over.
TOP LAG PUTT
Scheffler lag putts from range at the par-3 15th, and it's a really good effort despite still have three or four feet left. There was a dip right at the end which he had to judge almost perfectly, and he pretty much did.
DeChambeau and Hatton once again run their golf balls close, but neither drop home. It's a round of pars, which only Scheffler will really be happy with, you'd have thought.
Elsewhere, Fleetwood just about finds the birdie at the 14th, with his ball doing a full lap of the circumference before sinking.
FLEETWOOD ON BOARD
After that birdie at the par-5, can Fleetwood go again at the par-3 15th? He's done the hard bit by finding the heart of the green from 211 yards, and he's probably no more than 20 feet away. The crowd seem very happy with it.
Up ahead, Min Woo Lee has just missed a short birdie putt on the 17th. He's at two-over so knows he needs a birdie at the 18th or he'll be heading back to the US early.
WAYWARD RAHM
The Spaniard pulls his tee shot at the par-3 15th and then tosses his club down in frustration. I'm not sure that will be a penalty, but an official might be having a word with him and could be handing out a warning...
PIN-CLIPPER
Oh my goodness that was close! Tyrrell Hatton takes dead aim from 150 yards and his ball lands right next to the hole. I could have sworn it clipped the flag. Either way, it's stopped at gimme range and he'll move up to two-under at the 16th.
HOME BOY SENDS THE CROWD WILD
Here he goes! Tommy Fleetwood is cooking late on. The Southport-born pro sends a 25-footer into the hole and the cheers echo around Royal Birkdale. Three more holes to go.
I really wouldn't be surprised to see Fleetwood finish the day at five-under, or maybe better...
Listen to that roar.Back-to-back birdies for Tommy Fleetwood, as he delights the Royal Birkdale crowd on the 15th. pic.twitter.com/p0JsyjSYPyJuly 17, 2026
COLD PUTTER
Scheffler once again sees a solid putt finish a matter of inches away from the hole. He's exasperated. He's two-under with two to go, but Scheffler could be leading this comfortably on another day.
HATTON FINDS ANOTHER
The Englishman is charging towards the line. That sensational approach just now has given him renewed hope with the par-5 to come.
ROSE DREAM IS OVER
It looks as though Justin Rose is going to miss the cut at Royal Birkdale. His birdie try at the 17th drifts by and he now needs an eagle at the most difficult hole on the course today.
FLYING FLEETWOOD
Tommy Fleetwood is on it now. He really is. From 156 yards, the man with eyes as blue as the cap he's wearing today draws a crisp wedge right below the flag and it pops up to no more than three feet. How's that five-under score looking now?
PUTTING THE 'WOO' IN MIN WOO LEE
What a putt from Min Woo Lee! The Australian just about sinks his birdie putt on the 18th to reach one-over and sends a huge roar back at those supporting him. He's pumped, and so he should be. One of the most popular players on tour will be around for the weekend.
SHOCKER
Stunned silence around Royal Birkdale as Fleetwood misses an incredibly short putt at the 16th. That's an even more painful par given what was going on for the home favorite.
HIT TOO WELL
While Scheffler and Hatton fail to reach the green in two due to poor tee shots (Hatton) or approaches (Scheffler), DeChambeau is in prime position on the baked fairway.
From 252 yards, DeChambeau pipes a long iron towards the flag, but he almost hit it too well as he bounds through the putting surface and out the back. Still, if you're going to miss somewhere, that's the place to try and get up and down from.
ALL OVER FOR JUSTIN
It's not going to be for Justin Rose, and he rolls in a putt for par at 18 to leave him on +3, two below the cut line.
Gracious as ever, he's all smiles as he takes the applause coming his way. Next year, Justin!
BRYSON IS BACK!
Bryspn DeChambeau got a bit unlucky with his second at the 17th.
On a great line, it took a big bounce on the green, scurrying off to the back of the putting surface. That's a deft putt back onto the green. though, leaving just a tad more than a tap-in for a birdie and a tie for second.
BIG NAMES IN POSITION
It may have taken until almost the halfway stage but, slowly but surely, some familiar names are finding their way into the upper echelons of the leaderboard.
Bryson DeChambeau is now tied for second, with Cameron Young for company. Scottie Scheffler is also lurking in T7, just four back of leader Lucas Herbert.
Not too far back are the likes of Shane Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood, Ludvig Aberg and Jon Rahm.
EAGLE CHANCE FOR RAHM
At the par-5 17th, Jon Rahm, on -3, is sensing an eagle opportunity. His second hits the middle of the green and rolls magnetically towards the hole. It's leaves a lengthy-ish putt, but more than makeable for the Spaniard.
HATTON IN CONTENTION
Another notable name putting himself in contention is Tyrrell Hatton, helped by this lovely birdie putt at 17...
This putt from off the green on 17 moves Tyrrell Hatton up to -3. It's his third birdie on the back nine. pic.twitter.com/WZltukgNTgJuly 17, 2026
RAHM AND FLEETWOOD MAKE BIRDIES
Jon Rahm misses his eagle attempt at 17, but he taps in for birdie and he moves to T7 on -4!
He's joined there moments later but Tommy Fleetwood thanks to his birdie at 17. Safe to say the locals enjoyed that one.
DECHAMBEAU TAKES THE APPLAUSE
Bryson DeChambeau sets up another great birdie chance at 18, leaving perhaps 15-20 feet and the chance to move solo second.
He laps up the applause as he strides down the fairway - let's see if he can get to -7.
DECHAMBEAU FINISHES WITH A FLOURISH
A hush descends on Royal Birkdale as DeChambeau lines up his birdie putt at 18. This for solo second. That brings the noise back! In it goes and the LIV Golfer finishes with 66 to move to -7, just one back of Lucas Herbert.
SCHEFFLER FINISHES WITH PAR
Scottie Scheffler is next to finish, his par putt almost staying out before thinking twice about it. That leaves him on -4 in T7 heading to Moving Day.
Next, Tyrrell Hatton completes a round of 68 to finish on -3. It's all bubbling away nicely.
MORE BIRDIE CHANCES AT 18
Tommy Fleetwood and Jon Rahm both set up birdie chances at 18. Fleetwood's approach momentarily looks like it may drop in before rolling a few feet past the pin. Rahm gets even closer, landing his ball a foot or two from the hole.
ALL OVER FOR JORDAN SPIETH
While the big names have been making moves at the top, for 2017 champion Jordan Spieth it's all over. Any remote hopes he had of making the cut went with a quadruple bogey at 18 and he finishes on +10.
Fleetwood, in the same group, narrowly misses his birdie putt.
Can Rahm do better and get to -5? From just over four feet, he steadies himself but pushes it left! He can barely believe it, but the par still leaves him well set in T8 heading to the third round.
PENALTY TROUBLE FOR BRYSON?
There is a suggestion that Bryson DeChambeau could face a two-stroke penalty for improving his lie at the fifth. He headed back to the scene of the alleged crime with officials to discuss what happened and we await an outcome...
DECHAMBEAU HANDED TWO-STROKE PENALTY
The ruling is in and Bryson DeChambeau has indeed been handed a two-stroke penalty. Here is the statement released by Grant Moir, Chief Global Golf Alliance Officer, The R&A:
"Bryson has been penalized two strokes for inadvertently improving the area of his intended swing so the intended backswing on the 5th hole when he was playing his 2nd shot.
"Rule 8.1 restricts what a player may do to improve any of the protected conditions affecting the stroke. And this includes the area of the player’s intended swing.
"So an improvement means to alter one of more of the conditions affecting the stroke so the player gains a potential advantage for the stroke.
"I would stress that this applies even when the action is accidental as it was in Bryson’s case. The area of intended swing includes the entire area that might reasonably affect any part of the backswing, the downswing or the completion of the swing for the intended stroke.
"And importantly what the prohibited action here is the player must not move, bend or break any growing or attached natural object.
"The player is allowed to fairly take their stance by taking reasonable actions to get to the ball, and take a stance if in some situations that improves the conditions affecting the stroke.
"But when doing so the player must take the least intrusive course of action to deal with the particular situation and is not entitled to a normal stance or swing. I would reiterate that this rule applies even when there is no intention to improve the area as was the case with Bryson."
