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Shane Lowry has emerged as the frontrunner in the 152nd British Open at Royal Troon, holding a two-shot lead after the second round. The Irishman, who triumphed at the Open in 2019, overcame a double bogey on the 11th hole to post a two-under-par round of 69, bringing his total to seven under.Lowry's ascent to the top of the leaderboard was preceded by Englishman Daniel Brown's impressive six-under 65 on Thursday. However, Brown maintained his composure under pressure, carding a steady 72 to remain at five under.World number one Scottie Scheffler is lurking in fourth place at two under, despite a bogey on the 18th hole. Scheffler, who has already secured six victories this year, including the Masters, is within striking distance of Lowry.In contrast, Tiger Woods' hopes of adding to his 15 major titles were dashed after two disappointing rounds. The 48-year-old struggled in the blustery conditions, finishing with a two-round score of 156, his worst ever at a British Open.Rory McIlroy, another pre-tournament favorite, faces an uphill battle to make the weekend after an opening round of 78. The projected cut is currently set at four over.Scottish Open champion Bob MacIntyre's dreams of a home soil triumph were shattered as he dropped eight shots in his first four holes, leaving him at nine over.As the tournament progresses, attention will shift to McIlroy's attempt to recover from his disastrous start and Lowry's bid to maintain his lead and secure his second major championship.

Rory McIlroy, the world's number two golfer, is determined to overcome the disappointment of his near-miss at the US Open and claim victory at the British Open, which begins on Thursday at Troon. McIlroy's heartbreaking loss at Pinehurst, where he missed two short putts on the final two holes, has fueled his motivation to add to his sole British Open triumph in 2014.Despite his recent struggles on links courses, world number one Scottie Scheffler remains the favorite to win. Scheffler has enjoyed a remarkable season, winning six times in 14 starts, including the Masters in April. However, he will need to adapt his game to the windy conditions at Troon, which have historically favored older players.Bryson DeChambeau, who won the US Open, will also be a contender. DeChambeau has recognized the need to adjust his game for links golf and has been practicing on similar courses in preparation.Tiger Woods, a three-time British Open winner, will make his return to the tournament after missing last year's event. Despite his limited playing time since a serious car accident in 2021, Woods believes the links course conditions give him a better chance to compete.The field will be battling for a prize pot worth $17.5 million, with the winner receiving $3.1 million. Fans can expect an exciting tournament, as the last Open played at Troon in 2016 saw Henrik Stenson outgun Phil Mickelson in a Sunday shootout.