PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland, July 18 (Reuters) - China's Li Haotong and American Brian Harman led the British Open second round on eight under par as home favourite Rory McIlroy's rollercoaster ride continued at Royal Portrush on Friday.

The first round of the 2025 Open Championship saw Royal Portrush giving the 156-player field all it could handle as ever-changing weather conditions allowed the Northern Ireland course to show off its strength against the best players in the world.

At this time six years ago, Rory McIlroy was already on his way home, heartbroken about missing the cut in his first “home” British Open.

Rory McIlroy shot 1-under 70 in the first round of the British Open at Royal Portrush that is also serving as a homecoming for the Northern Irish star.

Rory McIlroy made an opening bogey but a swift comeback on the remainder of the front nine. Rory McIlroy hit two of 13 fairways while shooting under par on Thursday. Rory McIlroy kept his dream of a home Open Championship victory alive with an improved back nine on Friday.

McIlroy, playing with Justin Thomas and Tommy Fleetwood, is one of the early starters in Friday’s second round and sits just three shots behind the leaders overnight, with world No 1 Scottie Scheffler,

McIlroy didn't play his best Thursday at Royal Portrush but shot 1-under 70 and is three shots off the 18-hole lead.

Rory McIlroy shot 1 under Thursday at Royal Portrush, a better start than the first time he played the British Open at the Northern Ireland course near home.