'Moving Day' at Royal Portrush: the players to watch as Open leaders tee off

Irish Examiner

19-07-2025

Saturday afternoon at the 153rd Open and the leaders are poised to get their rounds underway. This is 'Moving Day' but the hope will be that Scottie Scheffler doesn't move any further into the distance after his brilliance on Friday.
It's still all to play for.
Here we run the rule over some of the main ones to watch
Scottie Scheffler:
Understated on and off the course, the world number one took everyone by surprise earlier in the week by questioning the fulfilment that comes with striking a small dimpled ball around a few thousand yards of grass. Welcome to our world, Scottie.
Less remarked upon was the fact that he had been asked about a slump. A slump! This just two months after his last win at the Byron Nelson in his home state of Texas and the fact that he had posted three top tens since.
Still, there was no question that he was a smidgen off his imperious best. That changed on Friday here as he was inches away on the 18th from matching Shane Lowry's course record of 63 here from 2019. If he plays as he can he won't be beaten.
Matt Fitzpatrick:
US Open champion three years ago, the Sheffield man hasn't been able to follow that up. His tie for eighth at this year's US PGA was his first top-ten since the 2023 Masters, but there had been signs lately of a return to form.
A good showing at the Genesis Scottish Open at the Renaissance Club last week served notice and rounds of 67 and 66 – the latter bringing three straight birdies and then another run of four-in-a-row – leave him just a shot off Scheffler and in the final group.
Brian Harman:
The 2023 champion golfer of the year at Royal Liverpool, with a dominant six-shot lead on the final leaderboard, Harman knows what Fitzpatrick has gone through in trying to rediscover that sort of high.
The American's best major effort since has been a tie for 21st at last year's US Open but there was a first win since that Hoylake high with his victory at the Valero Texas Open back in April. A superb putter, Harman has the game and the experience to do this.
Haotong Li:
A Chinese trailblazer who became the first man from his country to lead a major at the halfway stage at the 2020 US PGA. It's eight years since he shot a closing 63 and finished third at The Open in what was only his third major.
A four-time winner on the DP World Tour, he wasn't even ranked inside the top 500 in the world last year and Royal Portrush marks his first major appearance since 2022. He has dropped just one shot in 36 holes so far, on the tough par-four 14th on Friday.
The Hojgaards:
Apologies to Nicolai and Rasmus for lumping them in together but there is no getting away from the remarkable fact that two twin brothers start round three of an Open Championship inside the top ten.
Rasmus, who saw off Rory McIlroy to claim the Irish Open at Royal County Down last year, is five shots off Scheffler after rounds of 69 and 68. 'Hopefully we'll have a good weekend,' Nicolai said, 'and maybe battle it out on Sunday.' Tyrrell Hatton:
The foul-mouthed, combustible Englishman has the game to win a major and he is decently placed to do that this weekend. He sits on five-under par, five adrift of the leader, and he is giving himself plenty of chances with a high percentage of greens hit in regulation.
One of 19 LIV Tour competitors this week, Hatton has been enjoying the odd pint of Guinness after work hours. A man with seven top-tens in the majors, he posted his best yet with a tie for fourth at the brutally tough Oakmont at the recent US Open.
Robert MacIntrye:
Another player who tends to wear his emotions on his sleeve, MacIntyre had a club bent over his knee and about to break already this week. That was on Thursday when he posted an even-par 72 having reached three-under through eight holes.
He recovered in round two with a brilliant 66 and explained afterwards how he is comfortable with a course that he has always loved and with what he has to do. Came desperately close to winning his first major at the US Open this year.
Rory McIlroy:
Well, we couldn't very well leave him out, could we? Tied for 13th alongside reigning champion Xander Schauffele and more, the current Masters champion has acres of ground to make up on Svheffler and many more besides.
Friday brought signs of improvement with his wayward driving and there have been some signs of the familiar McIlroy magic across the opening two days. Needs to go very low in round three to give himself a shot come Sunday.