(Hoylake, England) Brian Harman found himself in excellent company after two rounds of the British Open at Royal Liverpool, as he joined Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy for the tournament’s lowest aggregate score after 36 holes.
Even better for Harman, he had no company at the top of the overall standings on Friday.
Harman distanced himself with four straight birdies and saved the best for last. He placed his approach shot at about fifteen feet to register an eagle and hand over a card of 65 (- 6).
His 65 equaled the lowest card on the course at tournament-hosting Royal Liverpool for 13e time. His -10 cumulative score equals that of Woods in 2006 and McIlroy in 2014, when they continued their success to finally lift the Claret Jug.
PHOTO LORRAINE O’SULLIVAN, REUTERS
Tommy Fleetwood
Tommy Fleetwood, who had shot 66 in the first round to share the lead with two other golfers, completed the course in 71 strokes to find himself alone in the second tier, five strokes behind Harman.
“Brian had two amazing days,” said Fleetwood. He is far ahead, but there is still a long way to go. For me and the others, you have to keep doing your little thing and play one shot at a time. We have to keep playing until it’s over and see where we finish the tournament. »
The last player to lead the British Open by five strokes halfway through the tournament was Louis Oosthuizen at St. Andrews in 2010. He triumphed easily.
“I understand a lot of things can happen in the British Open, but eight shots is a lot to catch up to a player who is playing really well,” said Jordan Spieth, who was down three shots on the back nine and finds himself eight shots behind Harman after playing 71. “I think we’ll have to watch what Brian does. He is in control now. »
Harman only cared about food and sleep, and he didn’t think of other things.
PHOTO JON SUPER, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Brian Harman waves to spectators after an eagle at 18e hole.
My putter has been fine for two days, so I’m going to try to keep that going over the weekend. There are 36 holes left to play, so I want to try to rest and be ready.
Brian Harman
The key for Saturday may be staying dry as rain is forecast.
By virtue of a round of 67, Sepp Straka moved up to third at -4. Min Woo Lee (68), Jason Day (67) and Shubhankar Sharma (71) tied for fourth at -3.
McIlroy was hopeful of continuing his momentum after saving a par at 18e pennant, Thursday. A birdie at 18e hole on Friday gave him a 70 and left him nine strokes behind the leader.
Dustin Johnson shot 82, his worst score at a major tournament since the final round of the U.S. Open in 2010. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler birdied on the final hole to hand over a 75 to just make the weekend rounds.
Corey Conners is 71 and will be the only Canadian to take part in the weekend rounds, as he is tied for 39e rank, at + 2. His compatriot Nick Taylor (75) was unable to avoid the ax.