Key occasions
Justin Thomas misses one more inexperienced in regulation – that’s three out of three now – and as soon as once more is unable to rise up and down for his par. The slowest of begins for JT. He’s -1. However there’s no going backwards for Shane Lowry, who chips up from the again of 14 to 6 toes, and although he’s left himself a bit of labor to do, rolls within the putt. He provides the air slightly punch of satisfaction at getting out of Dodge unscathed.
-5: Lowry (14)
-4: Brown (9)
-2: Horschel (F), Burmester (F), N Hojgaard (3), Rose (3), Henley (2)
-1: Conners (F), Day (F), Schauffele (15), Cantlay (15), Scheffler (12), Noren (7), Thomas (3), Kirk
Shane Lowry is as soon as once more the only chief of the Open. That’s as a result of Daniel Brown appears to be like his reward horse within the mouth at 9. Having been extraordinarily lucky to search out the golf green from the tee, he pulls his second down a swale to the left of the inexperienced, and may’t rise up and down. Bogey, and he slips to -4. Although let’s not replace the leaderboard fairly but, as a result of Lowry has simply gone over the again of 14 and might want to do some scrambling of his personal.
It’s not breaking information, but it surely’s actually not occurred for Tiger this week. He follows a yip from a few toes that results in bogey on 14 with an unsure prod at a birdie likelihood at 15. Only a par, having excited the group by lashing out of knee-high tough from 180 yards to 9 toes. And now he’s discovered the burn working throughout the sixteenth. He’ll be grateful the clubhouse is heaving into view. He’s +13.
“It’s at all times fortunate to signal a sombrero on a Friday. Belief me, I’m from El Paso.” That’s the recommendation Sky co-commentator Wealthy Beem gave Daniel Brown on the apply inexperienced this morning, upon witnessing the 18-hole chief signal some random punter’s Mexican hat. And what, seems the 2002 PGA winner, raised in Texas, is aware of what he’s riffing off the highest of his head about. Brown pulls a dismal drive in the direction of some horrible mess down the left of 9 … just for the ball to someway cannon again onto the golf green as a substitute of disappearing into the thick grass because it absolutely ought to. That’s an enormous break, as a result of the present co-leader was virtually actually bogey or worse in any other case.
Justin Thomas missed the inexperienced at 1 however was in a position to rise up and right down to scramble his par. He’s not in a position to pull off the identical trick when discovering himself short-sided at 2. The 2-time PGA champion drops to -2.
Scottie Scheffler’s ball has stopped wanting the gorse bush at 12, however even on tippy toes the light big can’t see the inexperienced from the place he finds himself. He whips blind over the bush, and although he finds the golf green, he’s effectively wanting the inexperienced with work to do to save lots of his par.
The 2017 champion Jordan Spieth had, like his taking part in associate Scottie Scheffler, saved himself in place regardless of not clicking into gear. However he’s simply adopted up bogey at 10 with double at 11, the latter the price of sending his tee shot out of bounds. Impulsively he’s +3. However heading the opposite means, it’s the erstwhile Masters and US Open champ Dustin Johnson, who has had some downtime within the majors since becoming a member of the LIV tour, however is getting again on music right here. An eagle rake throughout 16 brings him as much as +1. DJ ought to actually have received this match at Sandwich in 2011, solely to hoick his ball out of bounds from the centre of the 14th fairway; Darren Clarke sends his thanks. Might the massive man proper some wrongs this yr?
Scottie Scheffler is this near draining a monster from the entrance fringe at 11. He faucets in for par, trying barely irritated. It’s not fairly occurred for the world primary thus far this week … however he’s held on in there regardless of not bringing his greatest stuff. But. It is likely to be nothing greater than a matter of time. He’s -1. And so having mentioned that, he’s simply despatched his tee shot at 12 in the direction of a really ugly bush. Extra on that anon.
You’ll have seen Jason Day again within the clubhouse at -1. He signed for a blemish-free 68, no imply feat even when he’s loved the extra benign early situations. A good likelihood he received’t be miles away from the 36-hole lead with the wind now selecting up and inflicting some hassle.
Thanks Matt … and oh Shane! Lowry will probably be cursing the well-meaning punter who discovered his authentic ball within the gorse bush. However having known as a provisional – versus declaring his ball misplaced – he’s responsibility certain to play on with the discovered ball. After an elongated faff, he drops again in line, and wedges blind in the direction of the inexperienced. Certain sufficient it’s nowhere close to the purpose he despatched his provisional, so is now taking a Texas Wedge from 35 toes. He’ll do effectively to make double from right here. Which he does. Full marks by the best way for the deep-throated growl of EFF he emitted upon carving that second shot into the bush. However that’s combined issues up on the high.
-5: Lowry (11), Brown (7)
-3: Thomas
-2: Horschel (F), Burmester (16), Noren (5), N Hojgaard (2), Rose (1), Henley
-1: Conners (F), Day (F), Schauffele (13), Cantlay (13), Scheffler (10), Wallace, Kirk
The Shane Lowry drama at 11 continues as I had again to Scott Murray! I’ll catch you all later.
-7: Lowry (10)
-5: Brown (6)
-3: Thomas
-2: Horschel (F), Cantlay (12), Noren (4), N Hojgaard (1), Rose, Henley
Niall O’Keefe emails: “Can be curious to listen to your ideas on why Tiger Woods nonetheless will get a lot protection. Massive identify I do know however he’s persistently means behind the pack. To attract an analogy, think about if Federer was nonetheless taking part in tennis. And getting knocked out each time within the first spherical of Wimbledon and many others. I doubt the media can be following him avidly. Nothing private in opposition to him however baffled that anybody desires to know his newest mediocre rating. Nice at his peak. However aren’t all sportspeople? Go on Shane!” I’m along with your personally Niall, however Tiger had the most important galleries and created the most important buzz out on the course yesterday. That’s echoed in TV viewing figures and clicks.
A twist to the Lowry story! The gorse bush is so tall it towers over the followers who make up the gallery however there’s a path by means of the center of it and, amid the overall chaos there, it seems there is likely to be his ball. He’s grimacing and in addition pulling at his shoulder. TV photos point out that the ball has been discovered and is in serious trouble. So he’ll take a penalty drop and head backwards conserving the pin and bush in a straight line. The second ball received’t rely. Excessive drama as he stares within the basic route of the inexperienced from the twelfth fairway!
Again in 2016, Shane Lowry mentioned of this course: “If you happen to play 10, 11, and 12 okay, I feel that’s sort of going to be the important thing for the week.” Guess what? He’s discovered the tough from the tee at 11, yanked his method right into a gorse bush as massive as a small village, appeared skyward, took a couple of seconds, after which hit his 4th blow to the center of the inexperienced. If he holes from 17 toes for bogey it’s going to large. The difficult stretch is testing him simply as he foretold.
The presence of Alex Noren excessive up the leaderboard is a reminder that his compatriot Henrik Stenson received at Royal Troon in 2016. However Swedish roots run deeper at this venue. Jesper Parnevik actually ought to have received in 1997 and it’s little-known that the person Stenson beat – Phil Mickelson – has Swedish heritage. Noren was well-known as a younger participant for getting barely obsessive with hobbies – running a blog, images, weightlifting, his swing. However parenthood has made him slightly extra laid again.
Lowry misses the birdie alternative at 10. However he’s nonetheless two away from Brown and 4 away from the remainder.
-7: Lowry (10)
-5: Brown (4)
-3: Noren (3), Thomas
-2: Horschel (F), Schauffele (11), Cantlay (11), N Hojgaard, Rose, Henley
One other tremendously typical Open scene. Shane Lowry finds the gallery walkway along with his drive at 10 and TV cameras present his ball sitting splendidly on the trampled-down grass. Behind him a financial institution of followers watch intently and, as he sweeps the ball to its goal, the mass of their heads twists to comply with its path. It’s an excellent quick iron, pitching close to the opening, hopping a few occasions, after which spinning again to five toes.
Billy Horschel completes a second spherical of 68. It means the American set the early 36-hole clubhouse goal at -2 and he is likely to be in line for a second main championship high 10 of 2024 after ending eighth within the PGA Championship. Ludicrously, for an 8-time PGA Tour winner, that was his first main high 10 since 2013. His Open greatest was twenty first in 2022 at St Andrews. Corey Conners has accomplished a 70 to succeed in midway in -1.
Mr Consistency, aka Alex Noren, ticks a birdie at 2 to turn out to be the primary man right this moment to interrupt the -2 barrier for all however the high three. He joins Justin Thomas on -3 for the championship. He has 12 high 30 finishes in 17 begins in 2024. He’s additionally bought six high 30s in his 11 Open begins – and 4 of them in his final 5. He’s even bought 11 high 30s in his final 17 begins in Scotland.
Basic Open scenes for Dan Brown at 4. His second shot finds tangly tough and prompts the followers within the galleries to run round making an attempt to bagsy close-up views of his restoration. The marshals of their fancy outfits and rucksacks (a lot coveted by American vacationers) attempt to preserve some sense of order. The well-known yellow signposts pepper the walkways. Brown paces round on the lookout for a great choice, then thrashes the ball again onto quick grass. He’s in hassle although. He’s set to drop a shot.
The Postage Stamp is being form to Shane Lowry. A birdie on the par-3 eighth yesterday (I used to be truly excessive on the hill behind 7 watching him drain it) and one other right this moment from 10 toes. He’s again to -7 for the match and he’s the solo chief.
-7: Lowry (8)
-6: Brown (3)
-3: Thomas
-2: Horschel (16), Burmester (12), Schauffele (8), Hughes (5), Noren, N Hojgaard, Rose, Henley
Michael Hendry walks to the primary tee. The Kiwi was in hospital this time final yr with leukaemia and yesterday dropped a couple of pictures early on because the emotion of his return bought to him. Nonetheless a daring combat again means he begins right this moment +3 and has a real shot at taking part in the weekend. His story has echoes of a guide written by the comic Dominic Holland (additionally the daddy of Spiderman actor Tom Holland) to lift funds for the Anthony Nolan leukaemia charity. It’s known as Open Hyperlinks and is the story of a journeyman golfer’s extraordinary Open Championship. Hendry is aware of all about that sort of factor.
Dan Brown drains a 20 foot par putt to stay in a share of the lead. He revealed final evening that it was so darkish late in his first spherical that he had his caddie and brother Ben studying his putts with AimPoint (during which you employ your toes to gauge slopes). No blind placing this morning.
Simon Thomas emails: “Cam Smith appears to be like to have some critical issues – he simply missed the 6th inexperienced by miles with a brief iron. What’s his LIV type like or does he simply not care and resides his greatest life?” Effectively, Smith has truly completed ninth and sixth in his final two LIV begins, and he was sixth within the Masters. However he’s been very unstable this yr. He additionally carded a last spherical 80 in LIV Houston. He opened this week with one other 80 and is +3 by means of 6 right this moment. He mentioned after spherical one: “A nasty day and a few unhealthy breaks.”
Patrick Cantlay makes birdie on the Postage Stamp to get to -1 for the week. Earlier this morning Scott posted YouTube footage of Gene Sarazen’s well-known hole-in-one there in 1972. It’s price watching to distinction the backdrop then and now as a result of it’s really mind-boggling. Then, there was not quite a lot of something anyplace. Now, there’s a important grandstand and the sandhills are thronged with followers clinging to the highest like vacationers ready their flip to succeed in the summit of Mount Everest.
Robert Jones emails: “Tiger Woods might not be scoring effectively, however neither are quite a lot of different well-known names. Tiger appears to be like to be in the very best bodily situation I’ve seen him because the automobile accident. He doesn’t seem like discovering problem or ache with strolling the course that was so apparent in earlier tournaments.” Fascinating, Robert. The hotter temperatures of right this moment will probably be serving to his varied aches and pains.
Shane Lowry has pulled on a white windcheater (beautiful phrase, that) and the flag at 6 is flapping greater than they’ve been all morning. His third shot at this par-5 finishes simply 10 toes from the opening, nonetheless. A very good likelihood to bounce again from his first bogey of the week.
Contrasting mornings for good associates Xander Schauffele and Patrick Cantlay. The previous is +2 by means of 6 and the latter -2 by means of 6. They’re each even for the championship however will probably be in very totally different headspace for the time being. Schauffele was entertaining and laid again in his pre-tournament press convention. Requested if profitable a serious modified his pre-tournament considering he mentioned: “You guys can’t ask me that query anymore about how I’ve by no means received one. So …” The relaxed and completely satisfied grin that got here with this was somewhat beautiful.
Alan James emails concerning my first submit this morning at 10am: “I went to the Open at Lytham in 1979 and St Andrews in 1970, and visitors issues had been already horrendous again then, so there was each cause and alternative to adapt journey patterns over these 55 years, so why are we caught in the identical previous rut?” Alan provides that Troon is effectively served by trains and the excellent news is that 30,000 followers used Scotrail yesterday. My Open commute has gone from the elegant to the ridiculous. Final yr it was a ten minute stroll by means of Hoylake.
A primary error for Shane Lowry this week. Effectively, a primary bogey. His method at 5 finds sand after which demonstrates the problem of Troon’s sand traps as a result of he can’t get up-and-down for par. I used to be talking with a Japanese journalist on Tuesday who mentioned her nation’s gamers had been agog on the deepness of the pot bunkers. Lowry is again to -6 and World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler joins the -2 peloton with a birdie at 4.
First spherical chief Dan Brown and his lush blond beard is on the primary tee. At first look, he was in horrible type forward of this week with six missed cuts in his final seven begins. However his hyperlinks type this season has been sensational: third on a Louis Oosthuizen-designed hyperlinks monitor in Mauritius, fourth (when the midway chief) at St Francis Hyperlinks in South Africa, he drained a last inexperienced putt to progress from Remaining Qualifying after which shot a 65 in spherical one in all final week’s Scottish Open. Can he preserve the tempo right this moment? He mentioned final evening that he had been nervous on the primary tee yesterday and absolutely is once more proper now.
Matthew Jordan is using the wave after touchdown a high 10 at Royal Liverpool final yr. Again-to-back birdies at 6 and seven for the Englishman will get him to -2 for the spherical and week.
-7: Lowry (4)
-6: Brown
-3: Thomas
-2: Burmester (9), Jordan (7), Hughes (2), Dean (1), Noren, N Hojgaard, Rose, Henley
A beautiful method at 4, the primary par-5, units up a tap-in birdie for Shane Lowry. He walks to the inexperienced with putter tucked beneath his armpit, eradicating his glove, frowning barely. Nothing to frown about although. This has been a beautiful begin to his second spherical. There’s a protracted strategy to go however he might put the sphere beneath huge strain right this moment. Troon is tough sufficient with out feeling the necessity to chase birdies. He’s -2 for right this moment, -7 for the week and the solo chief.
England’s Joe Dean begins his second spherical with a par. The Yorkshireman is among the success tales of the 2024 DP World Tour season. He received a card at Q College, spent Christmas driving a supply van, and has since then completed second in Kenya and misplaced a play-off within the Netherlands. He made the reduce within the 2017 Open however after a 69 yesterday he can guide himself late tee occasions this weekend.
2011 Open champion Darren Clarke is making a transfer, albeit means again within the pack. He’s taking part in with Burmester and is -3 for the day and +3 for the week. He’s trying to make the weekend for the primary time since 2016.
Particular supply for Dean Burmester. He holes from eight toes for birdie on the Postage Stamp (the par-3 eighth) and is now -2 for the day and the week. He’s a three-time winner this season and a real menace now.
Dean Burmester is bouncing again once more. Earlier right this moment Scott highlighted the spectacular restoration of the South African in spherical one after which famous that he began spherical two with a bogey. However a second par breaker of the day at 7 has him in pink numbers (-1) for the primary time within the spherical and the championship. He admitted yesterday that it took him some time to grasp hyperlinks golf however he’s on the lookout for a fifth consecutive high 12 end by the British and Irish seaside this week.
Canada’s Corey Conners, an alliterative delight,is making a transfer right this moment. A fourth birdie of the day at 13 get him to -2 for the spherical and in addition the championship. He was fifteenth within the Open in 2021 however fourth heading into the ultimate spherical so he has some hyperlinks type. He’s as neat and tidy from tee to inexperienced as he’s in individual. Very a lot a golfer who appears to be like like his attire has simply been pulled from the packet. His placing is never a power however that’s typically not an enormous downside at Troon the place ball placing is most vital.
Simon McMahon emails: “Penny for Tiger’s, or certainly Colin Montgomerie’s, ideas after the three-time Open champion dropped to +10 after doubling the second. Perhaps he’ll advocate that Tiger joins him at Carnoustie subsequent week for the Senior Open? If nothing else, it’d be fairly the pairing. 15 Majors between them and all that.” Monty, after all, bought himself in hassle this week by repeating his ideas that Tiger ought to give up. Tiger wasn’t impressed however has achieved little to alter Monty’s thoughts. Perhaps Simon’s on to one thing? The subsequent line-up for a made-for-TV match anybody?
Supply hyperlink
