ameron smith holds onto the lead in the Open mid-stage after a sensational second round cleared the Australian’s two shots.
Six birdies came for Smith in his first ten holes, shooting all facets of his game, before an eagle on the par-five 14 set up a round of 64, taking him into the weekend at 13-under. St Andrews. It’s a feat that earned him the 36-hole Open Championships at the Home of Golf scoring record, a shot better than Greg Norman, Nick Faldo and Louis Oosthuizen have done in the past.
Many thought Smith was going into the week. He already has two wins under his belt in 2022, the Players and the Tournament of Champions, and the Australian is certainly used to competing on dry, baked courses.
“That was pretty cool there,” Smith said. “A lot of things went well, but to do it here was great.”
He will be joined in the final group on Saturday by Cameron Young, who led after the first 18 holes and kept up the pace with a round of 69 as he continues an outstanding first Open of his career.
Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland are a shot further back at ten-under in a share of third, with the Northern Irishman still straight in the hunt for his first major title for eight years. He had a slow start to his round, but came home in 33 to keep himself within three shots of the lead.
“I played well when I came in, stuck to my game plan,” McIlroy said. “I’m picking holes and walking away thinking I could have been a few better, but I’m in a great position to go into the weekend.”
His playing partner Xander Schauffelethe most in shape man in golf after recent wins on both sides of the Atlantic, had an up-and-down Friday and sits just inside the top 20 at five-under.
As morning rain fell on the Old Course and the layout softened, many in the early wave of starters moved nicely through the field. Adam Scott’s 65 took him to seven-under, joined on that score by Patrick Cantlay, while US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick is one of those one shots further back.
Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth both have work to do, nine shots off the lead, while Collin Morikawa’s defense of the Claret Jug didn’t make it to the weekend because he didn’t make the cut.
So did Tiger Woods, who got an incredible reception when he walked the 18th fairway? that resulted in an outpouring of emotion rarely seen by the 15-time great champion. He admitted after the round that he may not get the chance to play at St Andrews again.