In a dramatic turn of events during The Open Championship, two players, Ludvig Åberg and Tommy Fleetwood, are showcasing impressive performances on the front nine. Both golfers, who faced tough starts with scores of 73 on Thursday, are making significant strides in their second round. Åberg delivered a stunning long birdie putt on the 9th hole, completing the front nine with a remarkable 4-under 31. Similarly, Fleetwood matched this feat, sitting at 4 under through 8 and currently playing the 9th hole. As a result, both players have improved their standings to 2 under for the championship, trailing leader Brian Harman by four strokes.
In stark contrast to Åberg and Fleetwood, Jacob Skov Olesen faced a challenging beginning in his second round. After sharing the 18-hole co-lead at 4 under, Olesen hit two consecutive tee shots out of bounds on the 1st hole, leading to a quadruple bogey 8 and plummeting his score to even par. This disastrous start has left Olesen scrambling to recover and make the cut, which is projected to be at +1 but could shift to +2 later in the day. With his current position nearing the cutline, Olesen must quickly shake off the shock of his opening snowman if he hopes to compete through the weekend.
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau is also pushing towards the cutline after an initial score of 78. The two-time U.S. Open champion made an impressive move on the front nine at Royal Portrush, sinking a 20-foot putt on No. 9 to finish at 3 under, bringing his total score to 4 over for the championship. Given that the projected cutline is currently at +2, DeChambeau must navigate the more challenging back nine in 2 under to avoid consecutive missed cuts in majors.
Brian Harman has emerged as a frontrunner in the championship, seeking his second Claret Jug in three years. He is joined at the top by Rasmus Hojgaard and Tyrrell Hatton, all of whom have pushed the lead out to an impressive 5 under. Harman's strong performance on Friday mirrors his previous success at Royal Liverpool, where he shot a remarkable 65 to secure a five-stroke lead heading into the weekend.
Rory McIlroy continues to navigate the course, playing even par through five holes. After a birdie on No. 4, he followed up with a bogey on the drivable par-4 5th. McIlroy will encounter several scoring opportunities ahead, but he must also tackle a challenging stretch around the turn that has proven difficult for many competitors.
As the early morning games progress, the scoring average is settling at 1 over, which is nearly two strokes easier than Thursday's morning wave. As more players make their way through the course, scoring chances appear to be more plentiful, particularly during this early phase of the tournament.
Tommy Fleetwood and Jordan Spieth, both known for their skills in The Open Championship, are making their move this morning under favorable conditions. After matching opening scores of 73, both players have secured early birdies to return to even par for the championship. Fleetwood notched two consecutive birdies, while Spieth achieved his on holes 2 and 3. Other players, including Justin Thomas and Ludvig Åberg, have also climbed back to even par, with Viktor Hovland starting strong with a sequence of birdies.
Rory McIlroy kicked off his round with a well-executed 20-foot birdie putt on the 1st hole, setting a positive tone for the day. He has the opportunity to secure another birdie on the accessible pin of the par-5 2nd. Currently, the weather conditions are favorable, with a manageable 10-15 mph wind and no rain, creating an ideal environment for scoring.
As Day 2 of The Open Championship unfolds, Marc Leishman is making significant headway, currently at 4 under through 12 holes. This pace is notably faster than the previous day's extensive 6-hour round. As Tyrrell Hatton and Rory McIlroy prepare to take the course, excitement builds for what promises to be an exhilarating day of golf.
