Cameron Young rises to second spot

Wind and rain threatens the Open Championship at Royal Liverpool golf course this weekend.  The seaside links in Merseyside, England plays host to the 151st Open where Brian Harman from America now tops the scoreboard with a very impressive score of 12-under par after 54 holes.  Number two in the field is fellow American Cameron Young on 7-under par.

 

Brian Harman, a 36-year old professional from Georgia, fought his way to the top of the leaderboard at Royal Liverpool on Friday after shooting a remarkable round of 65.  He ran up a string of four spectacular birdies on the front nine for an opening 31 which he then superbly finished with an eagle at the par 5, 18th.

 

A treat for the English fans

 

Englishman Tommy Fleetwood gave the home fans something to cheer about on Friday.  Although the birdies were somewhat scarce on the front nine, he did make one bogey.  But then he made a charge on the back nine with three birdies and two bogeys to score a level par round and so stay at 5-under par for second place after 36 holes.

 

Having just arrived at Royal Liverpool after his victory in the Aberdeen Scottish Open a few days before, all eyes were focussed on Rory McIlroy.  It was nine years ago that he won his last Open Championship when it was played here at Hoylake.

 

The player from Northern Ireland, who is currently ranked as number two in the world ranking, shot a 1-under par 70 on day two after an impressive birdie on the 18th.  He may be nine shots off the incredible lead set by Brian Harman, but the 34-year old is reasonably happy so far with his game.

 

The lofty amateur Christo Lamprecht, who was leading on day one, got off to a shakey start on Friday after hitting two grandstands in the first few holes.  Alas, there was not a sign of a single birdie on day two but he did make the cut and went on to make two birdies on Saturday.

 

Day three at the Open started with rain lashing down on the fairways before play started which made the greens soft and forgiving for birdie putts.

 

Rahm in fighting form

 

World number three player from Spain, Jon Rahm, was on good form today.  He got off to a flying start and shot a magnificent round of 63 which included 8 birdies.  His score is the lowest Open Championship score ever at Royal Liverpool.

 

As is a tradition with golf, the leaders of Brian Harman and Tommy Fleetwood teed-off last on Saturday.  And just like all week, left-handed golfer Harman hit his tee-shot straight down the middle at the first.  Alas, it cost him a rare bogey and somehow his calmness seemed to disappear slightly on the first nine holes.  But on the back nine, his prowess returned and the birdies to go with it.  Indeed, Harman, who has yet to win a Major, has not missed a putt of less than ten feet all week.

 

Whilst Rory McIlroy was on the seventh hole, some light rain began to fall.  He was now on 4-under par after birdies on the 1st, 3rd and 5th.  His Open challenge was looking promising at this point.  However, Fleetwood and McIlroy did not really fizz on the back nine.  Frustration was beginning to set in.

 

Focus on Jordan

 

Meanwhile, England’s Matthew Jordan, who plays at Royal Liverpool, was impressing the fans again with a stunning performance on the back nine with birdies at the 14th, 15th, 16th and 18th to score a 69 today.  His great score of 3-under gets him into a share of 11th spot together with McIlroy and a few others.

 

Thinking of the Brits, brothers Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick were both on good form.  Alex, the younger brother of Matt, was playing in his first Major and shot a very impressive round of 65 for a share of 9th spot.  Matt was two shots more.

 

Cameron Young in the spotlight

 

American Cameron Young shot a 66 with six birdies to get himself to 7-under par for the Open.  The 26 year old, who only turned professional in 2019, has earned himself a very deserved second spot at Royal Liverpool.  In fact, second spot is exactly where the talented player finished at St Andrews in the Open last year.

 

The leader Brian Harman put his Spider putter to good use on the last few holes making back-to-back birdies on the 12th and 13th to get to 12-under par.  Interestingly, the player from Georgia has picked-up three runner-up finishes recently which could pave the way for success at Hoylake.

 

So there are two Americans topping the leaderboard at Royal Liverpool.  What can the Europeans do to seize the Open title?

 

Enjoy the final day of play today!

 

 

Wendy Hoad

Editor

 

 

MAIN PHOTOGRAPH:  American Brian Harman creates magical play at Royal Liverpool.