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.

Scheffler posted a 64 on Friday in the second round of the British Open, which had him just a shot off the course record in Northern Ireland. He left a birdie putt painfully short at the final hole, too. That moved the top-ranked golfer in the world into the solo lead at the midway point of the final major championship of the season.

Scottie Scheffler made eight birdies on another wild afternoon of weather at Royal Portrush, and the result was a one-shot lead over Matt Fitzpatrick.

Shane Lowry has been assessed a two-shot penalty for his golf ball moving in the rough on the 12th hole of the British Open.

Follow along for leaderboard updates, scores, highlights and more from the third round of the 2025 British Open Championship.

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.

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — The rain pounded Royal Portrush right when Scottie Scheffler poured in a birdie putt on his first hole Friday in the British Open. No matter. Nothing stopped the world’s No. 1 player on his way to a 7-under 64 to build a one-shot lead going into the weekend.

Forget the talk that Scottie Scheffler still needs to learn how to play links. On Friday, the world's No. 1 golfer could have taught a Master Class.

After that, Chris Gotterup, from Little Silver, N.J. and fresh off his Scottish Open victory on Sunday, is 5-under, along with Harris English, Bob MacIntyre, Tyrrell Hatton and Rasmus Hojgaard. Tony Finau and Nicolai Hojgaard are 4-under.

Another bogey-free round belonged to 44-year-old Justin Rose, in the group at 69 that included 52-year-old Lee Westwood, former Open champion Brian Harman and Lucas Glover, who was tied for the lead until a pair of bogeys early on the back nine.

Former World No.1 had a little guidance in the 1996 Open Championship at Royal Lytham and St. Annes, all the way to the final green.

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.