PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland, July 18 (Reuters) - World number one Scottie Scheffler conjured up a brilliant 64 to lead the British Open after an enthralling second round as home favourite Rory McIlroy's roller-coaster ride continued at Royal Portrush on Friday.

If we were feeling especially dramatic, that might be the way we'd describe the scene on the first tee Thursday afternoon at around 3:10 p.m. British Standard Time, when Rory McIlroy hit what can be reasonably described as the most anticipated first tee shot of 2025.

There's been a big change at the British Open that has caddies and players perplexed. The R&A has decided to not longer have assigned greenkeeping crews with each group to rake the bunkers.

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland, July 18 (Reuters) - China's Li Haotong and American Brian Harman led the British Open second round on eight under par as home favourite Rory McIlroy's rollercoaster ride continued at Royal Portrush on Friday.

There are several big names who need to go on a big run on Friday to even make the weekend, including Bryson DeChambeau. He fired a 7-over to drop down to the tail end of the leaderboard. Patrick Reed, Wyndham Clark, Collin Morikawa and Brooks Koepka weren't much better, either.

Golf fans will never (ever) be able to hit a golf ball like Rory McIlroy, but they can at least try to practice chipping like the five-time major champ this week. Well, the way he practiced long (long) before he was ever even a one-time major champ.

Former champion Brian Harman climbed to the top of the second-round leaderboard at the British Open as home favourite Rory McIlroy's rollercoaster ride continued at Royal Portrush on Friday.

HOME HERO: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland made a late birdie for a 70 and was three shots behind. The last time he played the British Open at Royal Portrush, he made an 8 on the first hole, shot 79 and wound up missing the cut.