Big boys waiting in the wings

The 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, England (16-19 July) is proving a real challenge for the world’s best golfers.  Delightful weather has greeted the golfers in Southport at the links course and two surprising names have led the championship: American Jackson Suber who opened with a 5-under par 65 on day one and an Australian by the name of Lucas Herbert who shot an amazing 8-under par round of 62 on day two.  But where are the big names in golf like World Number One, Scottie Scheffler from America who is defending his title?  Never fear dear golfer, the greatest golfers are lurking in the wings!

 

Outstanding lead by Suber

 

Let us begin with Suber’s opening round of 65.  The 26-year old from Tampa, Florida, who only turned professional in 2022, shot a 65 at Royal Birkdale on Thursday which included a steady level par on the first nine with two pars and two birdies.  On the back nine Suber’s golf came alive when he came home in 5-under par.  This included a wonderful mix of four birdies, one eagle and one bogey for a tally of 31.  Now that is what you call impressive golf from Suber!

 

Behind him there was a group of players breathing down his neck.  Just one shot behind were Sungjae Im and England’s Dan Brown on 66.  There then followed a mass of players on 3-under par 67 including Thomas Detry (Belgium), Robert MacIntyre (Scotland), Bryson DeChambeau (USA), and, surprise, surprise, Italy’s Francesco Molinari.

 

 

It is interesting to realise that incredibly Bryson DeChambeau, the US Open winner of 2024, has missed every cut in the Open Championship.  So for the American to stand in a share of fourth place after day one at Royal Birkdale was pretty impressive.

 

What about players such as Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Jon Rahm?  And England’s Tommy Fleetwood who was born just five minutes away from Royal Birkdale?  More about these players shortly!

 

Moving day on Friday saw blue, blue skies once again and a host of enthusiastic fans.  It was going to be another exciting day in Southport.

 

In no time at all Bryson DeChambeau had increased his lead to 7-under par after flying through the par-5 17th in two shots.  He actually made a birdie there which he followed with another birdie at the 18th.  Alas, he suffered a double-bogey at the 5th hole, but nevertheless, DeChambeau was looking in good shape to make the weekend cut.  Indeed, the Open Championship now saw five Americans in the top-10.

 

Herbert and Burns card rounds of 62

 

Two players carded an 8-under par 62 on Friday: Lucas Herbert (Australia) and American Sam Burns.  It saw Lucas Herbert shoot-up the leaderboard to number one spot in the 154th Open.  For the 30-year old who was born in Bendigo, Australia he had the round of his life when he opened his second round with three consecutive birdies which he capped with three more to go out in 28 which is an incredible 6-under par.  On the back nine he had birdies on the 11th and 12th which he followed with another birdie at the 16th.  The pressure was now mounting for Herbert.  Could the Australian hang on to this remarkable score to record the lowest ever in a Major with just 61 strokes?

 

It all came down to Herbert’s last putt at the 18th hole from about six feet.  The crowds could barely breathe due to the excitement of the moment.  Herbert struck the putt which sadly stayed above ground.  It was not a record score for the Australian but he has tied the best so far with his 62 and that is pretty amazing!

 

Twenty-nine year old American Sam Burns suffered a similar fate with his 62.  Out in 32, Burns struck gold on the back nine with six birdies for his 8-under par score.  His score of 5-under par puts him now in a share of 5th spot with DeChambeau and Si Woo Kim (Korea).  We are definitely impressed!

 

Day one leader Jackson Suber (America) played a good round of golf on Friday too.  He carded a 69 to bring his score to 6-under par.  After two rounds, he shares second place with two fellow Americans: Cameron Young and Ryan Gerard.

 

 

So where are the big boys?

 

American Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm (Spain) are both still in the running in the Open.  After 36 holes they both share 8th spot on 4-under par with among others three Englishmen: Tommy Fleetwood, Alex Fitzpatrick (yes, the younger brother of Matt Fitzpatrick) and Matt Wallace.

 

 

Bye, bye Rose

 

The halfway cut came at 1-over par which means that Americans Keegan Bradley and Brooks Koepka just scraped in on a score of 141.  A total of 78 players made the cut which sadly said bye, bye to Australian Cameron Smith, the recently-crowned PGA Champion, Aaron Rai (England), and Henrik Stenson (Sweden) and 16 others.  US Open Champion Wyndham Clark (USA) and England’s Justin Rose said their farewells with a group on 142.  Alas, all the ten amateurs missed the cut among them Mason Howell (USA) who was just one wee shot too many.

 

Today there will be some serious golf being played at Royal Birkdale.  It is a question of who can climb-up the leaderboard ready for a stunning finish on the sandy links course at Southport on Sunday.  Enjoy!

 

 

Wendy Hoad

Editor

 

 

MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: Halfway leader of the 154th Open at Royal Birkdale, Lucas Herbert.  BELOW: (l-r): Robert MacIntyre and Tommy Fleetwood. Cameron Young.  Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm.