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.

McIlroy didn't play his best Thursday at Royal Portrush but shot 1-under 70 and is three shots off the 18-hole lead.

Rory McIlroy remains in contention at The Open 2025 with the Masters champion ending Thursday’s first round just three shots behind the leaders at Royal Portrush. Matt Fitzpatrick is one of five overnight leaders,

Rain lashed from above, North Atlantic winds pummeled from the side, and thousands of excited, umbrella-wielding shapes swirled amongst it all, yet the man at the eye of the storm remained entirely unflustered.

The crowds of Northern Ireland appreciate good golf, and good golfers, but no one had as big of a reception as the native son. And Rory McIlroy gave them plenty to cheer for — with potential for even more over the next three days at the Open.

World number one Scottie Scheffler was one stroke adrift, and Rory McIlroy scrambled to a 70 after a rollercoaster round in which he bogeyed the first hole and fought back to three under before fading on the back nine.

ROYAL PORTRUSH — The Masters took four days to drain the Rory McIlroy fan base of emotional resource. Northern Ireland might well run out of tranquilisers come Sunday should McIlroy get that far. No eight on the card, yet, but tumult aplenty on the opening day in Portrush.

Disaster on the first when the championship returned to the county Antrim golf course six years ago has made the field very wary as they begin their rounds