Overview

• He carded four-under on Thursday and five-under on Friday to sit at nine-under par, one stroke off Scottie Scheffler’s lead at the midway point.
• If he wins, he would become the first Englishman to capture The Open since Nick Faldo in 1992 and secure his third major title after victories at the 2015 British Masters and the 2022 U.S. Open.
• He rejected suggestions that he used balls inscribed with messages like MF is cute or I love you during his rounds.
• Off the course, Katherine Gaal has been visibly present at Royal Portrush and continues to prepare packs of golf balls marked with affectionate symbols and messages for her husband.
• Prior to their October 2024 wedding, Gaal earned a double major from Penn State, worked as a marketing manager and tennis professional, and her grandfather won Olympic fencing bronze in 1948.