Fleetwood the favourite after sizzling 65 at The Open
What happened on Friday at The Open?
Zach Johnson and Kevin Kisner hold the 36-hole lead, but Friday at Carnoustie was all about Tommy Fleetwood, who fired a morning 65 to head into the weekend as the favourite and just one shot adrift.
Fleetwood, who found himself on the tougher side of the draw, played some stunning golf in dismal wet early conditions to sit well positioned as he seeks his first major championship title.
The Englishman – who finished runner-up to Brooks Koepka at last month’s US Open – holds the course record at Carnoustie, and that was evident today as the 27-year-old made six birdies on his way to a blemish-free round.
Kisner, meanwhile, held a two-shot cushion at the top heading into the 18th hole, but the American found Barry Burn with his approach and fell to a double-bogey finish.
Compatriot Johnson – the 2015 Open champion – moved into a share of the lead with a long birdie putt at the 18th, while Rory McIlroy (-4) and Jordan Spieth (-3) look ready to pounce heading into the final two rounds.
Tiger Woods had an up-and-down day to post another level-par 71 to sit six shots adrift.
Leaderboard
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Talking point
With plenty of big names in contention, perhaps one of the biggest stories of the week has gone under the radar: the best two players in the world, Dustin Johnson and Justin Thomas, both missed the cut.
Johnson wasn’t able to fully recover from Thursday’s 76 as the world No.1 concluded with a 72 to fall to a six-over par total.
Thomas, meanwhile, was in a fine position at two-under after the first round, but the American hit three double-bogeys in a row on the front-nine to shoot a 77 to miss the weekend by one shot.
Thomas’s Open record now reads MC-MC-53, with an average second round score of 78. Notably, his average opening round score is just under 68 – Thomas clearly isn’t comfortable when playing in poor conditions, and that was again the case this morning when the umbrellas were out in force.
Best quote
Confidence is high for @McIlroyRory after a second successive 69 ? #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/dXoa01VKCz
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 20, 2018
Best stats
With a win this week, Jordan Spieth would be only the second player to win #TheOpen in consecutive years before turning 25, joining Young Tom Morris (3 straight from 1868-1870).
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) July 20, 2018
All previous 7 winners of #TheOpen at Carnoustie trailed after 36 holes.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) July 20, 2018
Tiger Woods: 71-71 (E); 1st time in 5 years (2013 Open) he has shot par or better in each of the first two rounds of a major.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) July 20, 2018
Rory McIlroy opens with 69-69. Each of the previous 3 times he began a major with consecutive rounds in the 60s, he won.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) July 20, 2018
.@TommyFleetwood1: 5th round of 66 or lower in majors since the beginning of last year's Open, most of any player during that span.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) July 20, 2018
Fleetwood's 65 is 1 shot off the lowest round shot in an Open at Carnoustie. #TheOpen
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) July 20, 2018
Best moments
Clutch from @JustinRose99 on the 18th to bring him inside the cut line, currently +3.
Follow the cut line https://t.co/gVDayzkpiZ#TheOpen pic.twitter.com/4U8Zvtjozx
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 20, 2018
Jordan wants his jug back…#TheOpen pic.twitter.com/XRIaBTKXvu
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 20, 2018
The Barry Burn claims another victim.@K_Kisner made double bogey on 18 to finish at -6.
Full scoring https://t.co/gVDayzkpiZ#TheOpen pic.twitter.com/AqCOwxImtz
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 20, 2018
Pure brilliance from @JordanSpieth#TheOpen pic.twitter.com/VdjR91gTHe
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 20, 2018
What a way to finish for @SandyLyle1 in what is potentially his last Open.
Thanks Sandy. #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/xjmIm84yJK
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 20, 2018
Zach Johnson is the clubhouse leader. Birdie on 18 sees him finish with a 67 and -6 at the halfway stage.
Full scoring https://t.co/gVDayzkpiZ#TheOpen pic.twitter.com/4XvzQ1e2A6
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 20, 2018
⏱️ ROUND IN 60 SECONDS ⏱️
A great day for @TommyFleetwood1 ⛳️ #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/OhaLAwHOU0
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 20, 2018
Highlights from Round 2 this morning ⛳️ #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/vugE4xEJ0y
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 20, 2018
First birdie of the day for @TigerWoods
Full scoring https://t.co/gVDayzkpiZ#TheOpen pic.twitter.com/G54b7gj2wW
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 20, 2018
Is there a training aid Paddy won’t try?!? pic.twitter.com/SIVA0pQl50
— Trevor Reaske (@TrevorReaske) July 20, 2018
Fleetwood, Mac both on song at #TheOpen
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) July 20, 2018
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Sit back, put your feet up and tune in to what could be one of the epic Opens
Tom Irwin
Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.
