PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland — 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 7-under 64 to build a one-shot lead going into the weekend.

Forget the talk that Scottie Scheffler still needs to learn how to play links. On Friday, the world's No. 1 golfer could have taught a Master Class.

Scheffler is the first reigning world number one player since Tiger Woods to hold the 36-hole lead at this championship.