The top two golfers in the world are firmly in contention at The Open with Scheffler out in front entering another major championship weekend

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.

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 seven-under 64 to build a one-shot lead going into the weekend.

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.

There is a five-way tie for the lead after the first round of the 153rd Open Championship with Jacob Skov Olesen, Haotong Li, Matt Fitzpatrick, Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Harris English shooting 4-under 67 Thursday at Royal Portrush. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler (68) is one back with home favorite Rory McIlroy (70) three off the pace.

Another major championship means another opportunity for Scottie Scheffler, but success at the Open Championship and golf in general isn’t what fulfills the American.

Scottie Scheffler raised more than a few eyebrows with an unexpected admission ahead of The Open this week. With 16 PGA Tour victories, three major triumphs, 148 consecutive weeks as world No.1 and enough riches to last him a lifetime, the 29-year-old has just about everything he has ever wanted.

Is Scottie Scheffler still the clear No. 1 entering The Open? Is Rory McIlroy ready to win in Northern Ireland?