The 147th Open Championship is halfway home.
Friday was a tale of two different sets of weather conditions. The morning half of the draw played in steady, lighter rain while the afternoon was greeted by the sun.
Here’s how things are looking after 36 holes in the books.
Two Americans are atop the pack — Zach Johnson and Kevin Kisner.
Kevin Kisner: Kisner worked his way to eight-under par standing on the 18th tee. His drive found some thick rough to the right and he decided he could get eight-iron on the green. It didn’t come out the way he thought it might and his ball found the depths of the Barry Burn. He’d finish with double-bogey for 70 to post six-under. “The golf course fits my eye. I like where my putter is. I like my position going into the weekend.” Kisner had 29 putts vs. the 22 he made on Thursday when he shot 66. No first round leader has ever won at Carnoustie. We believe that will remain in tact.
Zach Johnson: “My game is suited to this style of play,” Johnson declared after he followed up his opening 69 with a sparkling 67. He’s one of the shortest drivers on the PGA Tour yet ranks among the leaders in par five scoring. His lines have been tight, his trajectory has been totally under control. He has two majors including an Open Championship at St. Andrews. Don’t be surprised if he has another Claret Jug come Sunday.
Tommy Fleetwood: Fleetwood shot the best round of the tournament in the rain. His 65 put him at five-under. But he wasn’t getting ahead of himself: “We’re only halfway through the tournament unfortunately, 36 holes is a long way to go. I’ve put myself back into contention and if I can keep hitting it like I did then I’m going to have a lot of chances.”
You have to like his chances come Sunday when the wind is supposed to blow hard.
Pat Perez: Has to be the surprise contender after he shot 68 on Friday. Even Perez knows he’s a surprise at the top:
“The best part for me is no-one thinks that I can win. For me, that makes it easier to play. I don’t have any pressure. I’m not Rory and Tiger and these guys that have won so many times, and they have the pressure of winning more of them.
“I’d like to do well and if I win, that would be amazing. I’d like to stay steady for 36 more holes and if I happen to be there somewhat near the end, that would be incredible.”
Yes it would.
Xander Schauffele: After a 66 on Friday, you have to wonder how his lack of experience will carry him over the final 36 holes.
Rory McIlroy: One of five players at four-under par. If the wind blows hard on Sunday, you have to wonder how that will bode for Rory, who simply doesn’t play well in windy conditions.
Tony Finau: Performed well in the first two majors which speaks highly for his chances over the final two days.
Matt Kuchar: Could he come down to the wire on Sunday again like last year?
Jordan Spieth: Had trouble with the last four holes on Thursday and played them one-over on Friday. He’s been wild off the tee. If he can’t find more fairways, he’ll have a tough time hanging around the leaders. Still managed to shoot 67 on Friday to put himself in the thick of it.
Rickie Fowler: He’s three-under and will have to pick up the pace over the weekend.
Brooks Koepka: At one-under, he’s the most dangerous man going into Saturday’s third round.
Tiger Woods vs. Phil Mickelson:
The R&A missed a golden opportunity here. They are both in at even par. The R&A could have paired them together and no one would have to wait for a Tiger vs. Phil match for $10 million. The U.K. bookmakers would have had a hey-day with this one.
Tiger says he’s still in it: “It’s a pretty packed leaderboard but I’m certainly right there in it.”
Still, it’s Tiger vs. Phil with 36 to play — who beats the other?
