Day Two at Royal Birkdale
Few would have predicted the change of weather and fortune for players on day two of the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale (20-23 July), other than a golf-addicted weatherman. What a difference a day makes! But 23-year old American Jordan Spieth weathered the storm to take his lead into the third round.
Gone was the lazy summer breeze wafting across the links and the blaze of red scores on the leaderboard denoting Thursday’s sub-par rounds. Instead gusty winds and squally showers provided tough conditions for the second day. So much so, that the world’s best golfers were more than happy just to make par. Indeed, only a handful of them actually broke par. Among the tenacious few was 2015 Open Champion Zach Johnson who shot the best score of the day: 66. Coincidentally he also carded a 66 on the final day at St Andrews that year to get himself into a play-off with Louis Oosthuizen and Marc Leishman. The rest is history.
Other players had their moments between storms at Royal Birkdale on Friday such as Rory McIlroy. He picked up where he had left off on Thursday making a flurry of birdies on the first nine to go out in 31 and so get himself back into the top ten, at least for a while. In fact, the Northern Irishman is looking to better his one top-ten finish in twelve Open Championship appearances. Hang on in there, Rory!
Casey’s birthday celebrations drowned
There were more glimmers of hope. Lee Westwood (England) eagled the 5th. However, day two took its toll on the majority. Fellow countryman Paul Casey should have been celebrating his 40th birthday, but quickly relinquished his fourth position after making four bogeys in his first seven holes.
It was American Matt Kuchar who made the first move to break away from the three-way US tie at the top of the leaderboard. Quite surprising really as the frustration of a links golf course plagued with pot-bunkers and played in such testing conditions often leads to the overseas players taking a tumble in the Open.
Later in the day, Jordan Spieth began his second round with a birdie at the first to get to 6-under and regain the outright lead.
England’s Richard Bland, playing in only his second Open then launched an impressive attack. After five holes, he stood at 5-under for the championship to take a share of the lead with Spieth. America’s Koepka having dropped back one stroke behind. The heavens then opened. Some greens became almost unplayable. Umbrellas blew inside out. And even the most hardy of golf fans deserted the grandstands.
Defending Open Champion, Henrik Stenson braves the storm.
Thankfully there was only a 10-minute rain delay. The damage was limited. Spieth, Koepka, Kuchar and Bland were now co-leaders on 4-under. Kuchar sitting comfortably in the clubhouse at this point.
Soon after, an eerie calm wafted over Southport giving the players chance to repair any storm damage. Spieth took advantage getting to 7-under for the tournament after 15 holes to take the lead. A bogey at the 16th followed, but the 22-year old still managed to card an impressive 69 to become overnight leader at 6-under par, two ahead of Kuchar with England’s Ian Poulter and Brooks Koepka one shot further behind. In 5th spot, Scotland’s Richie Ramsay on 2-under.
An exciting weekend is in store at Royal Birkdale!
Wendy Hoad
Nice to know …
The cut: 77 players made the halfway cut in the Open which came at +5.
Just in on the cut-line: England’s Olympic Champion Justin Rose and leader in the Race to Dubai ranking, Tommy Fleetwood.
Just missing the cut: Among the 11 players missing the cut by one stroke was Ireland’s Padraig Harrington (73,73).
Missing by a mile: Biggest missed-cut surprise at this year’s Open was Phil Mickelson. The 47-year old mega-talent opened with a record-breaking 63 at Royal Troon in 2016 and went on to become runner-up to Open Champion Henrik Stenson. At Royal Birkdale, the American struggled all week. After rounds of 73 and 77, it was time for him to pack his bags for an early return to the US.
Other Europeans making a good impression: Spain’s Rafa Cabrera-Bello, fresh from his win in Scotland; Dutchman Joost Luiten; and Scotland’s Richie Ramsay dug deep to stay in the mix. After 36 holes, they were level par (67, 73), level par (68, 72) and 2-under (68, 70), respectively.
For start times and latest news, check out: www.theopen.com
PICTURED: Jordan Spieth weathers the storm on day two of the Open at Royal Birkdale. BELOW: Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Ian Poulter and Matt Kuchar.