The 2026 Open Championship continued Friday at Royal Birkdale Golf Club in Southport, England, with Jackson Suber leading at 5 under par after the second round. Suber holds a one-stroke advantage over Daniel Brown and Sungjae Im, while major champions Bryson DeChambeau (3 under) and Scottie Scheffler (2 under) remain in contention.

Rory McIlroy sits at 2 over par, needing a strong finish to make the weekend cut after a disappointing opening round. Suber's preparation included studying the links layout via YouTube, a modern approach that helped him navigate Birkdale's challenging terrain.

The leaderboard remains tight heading into the weekend, with multiple major winners within striking distance. Friday's action featured dramatic shots and shifting momentum as players contended with coastal winds and firm fairways.

As the tournament moves into Saturday, the battle for the Claret Jug intensifies. Suber aims to convert his first 36-hole lead in a major, while DeChambeau and Scheffler look to add another Open title to their résumés.