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The Open 2025 live: Latest leaderboard and scores with Rory McIlroy battling in second round at Royal Portrush

McIlroy has had a mixed day on Friday but finds himself well in contention after fighting back to move to -3 and five shots behind early leader Brian Harman

Jack Rathborn
at Royal Portrush
,Chris Wilson
Friday 18 July 2025 15:48 BST
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Surprises & Strategies on The Open Championship Leaderboard

Rory McIlroy remains in contention at The Open 2025 with the Masters champion beginning Friday’s second round with a steady performance at Royal Portrush.

The Northern Irishman remains a distance behind early clubhouse leader Brian Harman, who added to a solid first day to finish eight under as he bids to win The Open again just two years after victory in Hoylake.

The chasing pack includes overnight leaders Haotong Li, Harris English and Matt Fitzpatrick as well as British hopeful Tyrrell Hatton, with world number one Scottie Scheffler also lurking at three under.

As always there have been some surprises on day two at The Open, with Rasmus Hojgaard and Robert MacIntyre among those still win contention while Lee Westwood looks to roll back the years again after shooting a 69 yesterday.

Justin Rose started well before a triply bogey threatened to ruin his tournament, though he kept his head to recover to two under for now, while Tony Finau, Matthew Jordan and Tommy Fleetwood are some of those still firmly in the race in Portrush.

Follow live updates, scores and analysis from Royal Portrush below:

The Open prize money: How much does the winner take home?

The 2025 Open Championship is underway as Rory McIlroy attempts to win his home major at Royal Portrush.

The Open is the oldest golf competition in the world and the winner will collect the famous Claret Jug, first awarded in 1872. They will also receive a healthy winners’ cheque from the R&A worth $3.1m (£2.4m).

The R&A raised the total prize fund to $17m (£13.4m) in 2024, up $500,000 from the previous year but still the lowest of the four major championships.

The Open prize money: How much does the winner take home?

The winner stands to earn a healthy cash reward despite The Open lagging behind the other three majors for prize money
Chris Wilson18 July 2025 16:00

English & Finau finish

English -5 (70), Finau -4 (68)

We’re seeing plenty of putts coming up short now due to the rain.

Harris English is the latest to do so, missing his birdie chance on the final hole to finish the day at five under.

Tony Finau ends a good day with a par as well, and he finishes on four under.

Chris Wilson18 July 2025 15:53

Li moves level

Another birdie for Li as he moves to -8 and three under through nine holes.

His latest is very impressive too, hooking himself out of the undergrowth on 10 to land just four feet away before sinking the putt.

Chris Wilson18 July 2025 15:50

McIlroy & Fleetwood done for the day

Fleetwood -1 (68), McIlroy -3 (69), Thomas -1 (69)

Fleetwood actually landed in the bunker with that second shot, and he chips out for the third but par will be very difficult.

It is, and he drops his first shot of the day on the last hole.

Plenty of cheers as McIlroy walks up the 18th and evaluates the upcoming shot.

It’s a good effort and the crowd try to roar it in, but it’s not to be and the home favourite finishes on -3. Still in contention, but work to do.

Thomas’ birdie putt falls short and he’s done on -1.

Chris Wilson18 July 2025 15:33

The Open 2025 - Round Two

Scheffler already with a birdie on the card. He moves to -4 on the first.

Lowry saves par on the first to stay at -1.

Chris Wilson18 July 2025 15:27

The Open 2025 - Round Two

The rain is really falling at Royal Portrush now, and those coming in at 18 will be happy they’re finishing.

McIlroy’s approach shot receives plenty of applause, and it should be good enough for par at least.

Fleetwood can’t even see the pin from where his ball has landed, and he might struggle to save par.

Chris Wilson18 July 2025 15:25

The Open 2025 - Round Two

Lovely up and down from Fitzpatrick to stay on -5, while Jordan misses the birdie putt to also stay on that score.

Tony Finau has continued a steady last few holes on -4, while US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley has moved up to -3.

Chris Wilson18 July 2025 15:20

The Open 2025 - Round Two

McIlroy finds the fairway with his last tee shot of the day.

Fleetwood follows it with a drive into the rough though.

Just ahead of them, Aberg grazes the hole with the birdie putt and finishes the day on -2.

Chris Wilson18 July 2025 15:16

Scheffler & Lowry tee off

Two more contenders are teeing off now.

2019 champ Shane Lowry is first before Scottie Scheffler finds the fairway easily enough.

Chris Wilson18 July 2025 15:14

Rose, MacIntyre & DeChambeau done

DeChambeau +1 (65), MacIntyre -5 (66), Rose -2 (71)

Three great approach shots on the 18th from this trio.

DeChambeau is very close to moving to level par but he misses the birdie and finishes for the day on +1 with a round of 65.

Rose also misses the birdie, landing par and finishing on -2.

MacIntyre will be the happiest of course, finishing with a par and just one bogey for the day too.

(Getty Images)
Chris Wilson18 July 2025 15:08

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