British Open specialist Harman makes big move at Portrush
Golf - The 153rd Open Championship - Royal Portrush Golf Club, Portrush, Northern Ireland, Britain - July 18, 2025 Brian Harman of the U.S. on the 5th green during the second round REUTERS/Maja Smiejkowska
PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland - American Brian Harman proved his liking for links golf again when he moved top of the British Open second-round leaderboard as home favourite Rory McIlroy's rollercoaster ride continued at Royal Portrush on Friday.
Harman lifted the Claret Jug at a soggy Royal Liverpool two years ago but arrived on the Northern Ireland coast under the radar after enjoying little success since his first major triumph.
The world number 26 birdied the first two holes, however, and picked up four more shots, sinking an eight-foot putt at the last to complete a flawless round of 65 and move to eight under par.
China's Li Haotong was one shot back after collecting three birdies in his first six holes.
Northern Ireland's McIlroy, again attracting huge galleries, scrambled to a one-under 70 on Thursday and it was a similar story early in his second round as he mixed mistakes and brilliance.
The 36-year-old, bidding to win his second Open 11 years after his first, had the crowds roaring with a birdie on the first and did brilliantly to salvage a par five at the second after slicing his drive into deep rough and taking a penalty drop.
He wasted several opportunities with careless putts before birdies at the 12th and 14th lifted him to three under.
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Denmark's Rasmus Hojgaard finished on five under alongside Scotland's Robert MacIntyre, and England's Tyrrell Hatton and Matt Fitzpatrick.
After Thursday's heavy rain showers and stiff breezes, bright conditions and light winds greeted the early groups on Friday and with receptive greens several players profited.
With his trademark accuracy and hot putter again in evidence, the 38-year-old Harman birdied the par-four opening hole after a superb approach shot left him a tap-in.
Harman capitalised on the two par-fives on the outward nine, with birdies on both, and reached six-under after another laser-like approach left him a tap-in on the 10th.
Joint overnight leader Jacob Skov Olesen began his second round in horrible fashion with a quadruple bogey eight on the first after driving out of bounds twice off the tee. In one hole, the Dane dropped from the top of the leaderboard to 36th.
World number one Scottie Scheffler is among the late starters as he continued his bid for a first British Open title on three under par. REUTERS
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