(Hoylake, England) Brian Harman found himself in great 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 he 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 brought home to Royal Liverpool, which is hosting the tournament for the 13th time. His cumulative score of -10 equaled that of Woods in 2006 and McIlroy in 2014, when they continued their success to finally lift the “Claret jug”.
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 echelon, 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. You have to keep playing until it’s over and see where you 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 at the British Open, but eight shots is a lot to catch up to a player who’s 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 about other things.
“My putter has been fine for two days so I’ll try to keep that going over the weekend. There are 36 holes left to play so I want to try to rest up and be ready,” Harman noted.
The key for Saturday may be staying dry as rain is forecast.
Under a round of 67, Sepp Straka moved up to third, at -4. Min Woo Lee (68), Jason Day (67) and Shubhankar Sharma (71) are tied for fourth at -3.
McIlroy was hopeful of continuing his momentum after saving a par at the 18th flag on Thursday. A birdie on the 18th 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 barely make the weekend rounds.
Corey Conners is 71 and will be the only Canadian to make the weekend rounds, as he sits tied for 39th at 2. His compatriot Nick Taylor (75) was unable to avoid the ax.