The 2026 British Open is underway, and the second round promises an intriguing day of golf at Royal Birkdale. With the cut line looming, several big names are set to battle for a spot in the weekend's action.
One of the most notable pairings is Rory McIlroy and Justin Rose, both of whom are teeing off at 10:09 a.m. McIlroy, in particular, has been a standout performer, snagging his first birdie of the day at the second hole, pushing him back towards red numbers. His group, including Xander Schauffele and Matt Fitzpatrick, is currently at 1-over, right on the early projected cut line.
Another player to watch is Chris Gotterup, who, alongside Sam Burns and Adam Scott, is teeing off at 9:25 a.m. Gotterup had a ho-hum even round on Thursday, but his strong showing in the field Tee-to-Green, coupled with three wins this year and a strong showing last year in the UK, makes him a prime contender for a big move this morning.
The cut line probabilities, as of 10 a.m. local, are as follows: Even-par (19.4%), 1-over (50.9%), and 2-over (25.9%). Some notable names around or outside that range include Rory McIlroy (2-over), Justin Rose (5-over), Jordan Spieth (3-over), Wyndham Clark (3-over), and Matt Fitzpatrick (2-over).
The morning wave is expected to play in ideal, less windy conditions, which should make the wave disparity minimal. This is always a talking point at The Open, and with players needing to take advantage before any wind ramps up, the early wave could make a significant impact on the leaderboard.
As the day progresses, the focus will shift to the afternoon wave, which includes Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau, and Tyrrell Hatton. The final groups, teeing off at 3:15 p.m., will be a crucial part of the day's drama, with the cut line looming and the wind potentially picking up.
In conclusion, the 2026 British Open Round 2 is shaping up to be an exciting day of golf, with several big names battling for a spot in the weekend's action. The cut line, the weather conditions, and the players' performances will all play a crucial role in determining who makes it through to the weekend.
