British Open: Brian Harman takes control comfortably thanks to the round of 65

Hoylake, UK – Brian Harman found himself in excellent company after two rounds of the British Open at Royal Liverpool, joining Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in the overall tournament score after 36 holes.

Even better for Harmann, he didn’t have company at the top of the overall standings on Friday.

Harman distanced himself with four straight birdies and saved the best for last. He put his approach from about fifteen feet to score an eagle and put up a card of 65 (-6).

Equal to 65 has the lowest card ever brought to the Royal Liverpool FC, who are hosting the tournament for the thirteenth time. His cumulative score of under 10 equals those of Woods in 2006 and McIlroy in 2014, when they continued their success in finally elevating the Clarettian pitcher.

Tommy Fleetwood, who shot a first-round 66 to share the lead with other golfers, completed the course in 71 strokes to find himself alone in the second par, five shots behind Harman.

“Brian had a great two days,” said Fleetwood. It’s advanced, but there’s still a long way to go. For me and others, you have to keep doing the small thing and running one shot at a time. You have to keep playing until you finish and see where you end up in the tournament. »

The last player to lead the British Open by five strokes in the middle of the tournament was Louis Oosthuizen at St Andrews in 2010. He won easily.

Jordan Spieth, who was three shots behind on the back nine and found himself eight shots behind Harman after playing a 71, said, “I understand a lot of things can happen in the British Open, but eight shots is a lot to catch on a guy who is playing really well. I think we’ll have to watch what Brian does. He’s in control now.”

Harman only cared about eating and sleeping and didn’t think about other things.

“My putt 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 and be ready,” Harman noted.

The key to a dry Saturday could remain as rain is expected.

Under a round of 67, Sepp Straka moved up to third at 4-under. Min Woo Lee (68), Jason Day (67) and Shupankar Sharma (71) are tied for fourth at 3-under.

McIlroy was hoping to continue his momentum after he saved par at the 18th pennant on Thursday. A birdie put it on the 18th hole on Friday the 70, leaving him nine shots behind the leader.

Dustin Johnson shot 82, his worst score in a major since the final round of the 2010 US Open. He parried world number one Scotty Scheffler on the final hole to deliver a 75 to make the weekend’s laps.

Cory Conners is 71 and will be the only Canadian in the weekend’s Tour, tied for 39th, plus 2nd. Countryman Nick Taylor (75) couldn’t avoid the axe.