The Open 2023 LIVE: Second round golf leaderboard as Tommy Fleetwood chases Brian Harman
American Brian Harman responded to missing the cut in the Masters in April by returning to his farm in Georgia and killing a pig and a turkey. Three months later, the left-hander carved out a commanding five-shot lead over home favourite Tommy Fleetwood at the halfway stage of the 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool.
Harman carded four birdies in a row on the front nine and holed from 15 feet for an eagle on the 18th to complete a flawless second round of 65 and post a 10-under-par halfway total of 132. That matched those recorded at Hoylake by Rory McIlroy in 2014 and Tiger Woods in 2006, although both men were 12-under on their way to lifting the Claret Jug as the course was a par-72 at the time.
It also made Harman the first player to lead the Open by five shots after 36 holes since Louis Oosthuizen in 2010, the South African going on to win by seven at St Andrews.
Fleetwood, who must have been taken aback to start his second round so far behind after sharing the overnight lead, closed to within four when he birdied the 14th and 15th, but dropped a shot on the next and eventually signed for a hard-fought 71. That at least got the 32-year-old from Southport into the final group with Harman for Saturday’s third round, with Austria’s Sepp Straka a shot behind Fleetwood following a brilliant 67 which included six birdies and a bogey in his last seven holes.
Follow live coverage of the 151st Open Championship at Hoylake below:
The Open Championship 2023 - live updates from Hoylake
The 151st Open Championship continues at Royal Liverpool
Brian Harman leads by five at -10 after extraordinary bogey-free round of 65
Tommy Fleetwood sits five shots back after even-par second round of 71
Rory McIlroy nine off the lead after battling round of 70
Australia’s Travis Smyth makes first hole in one of the Open at the 17th
Just Stop Oil attempt protest on 17th hole but play uninterrupted
-10: Harman
-5: Fleetwood
-4: Straka
-3: MW Lee, Sharma, Day
-2: Spieth, Otaegui, Grillo, Young
Patient Tommy Fleetwood prepared to go on a Harman hunt for Open glory
Friday 21 July 2023 20:59 , Luke Baker
Winning your first major is rarely easy and Tommy Fleetwood’s path to glory at the Open Championship this week certainly looks more complicated on Saturday morning than it did 24 hours earlier.
When he went to bed on Thursday evening, Fleetwood was co-leader of the tournament having shot a thoroughly professional five-under-par round of 66. He was atop the leaderboard alongside a South African amateur (Christo Lamprecht) and an Argentine without a top-10 finish in his major career (Emiliano Grillo), who would both inevitably fade.
Yet by the time the Englishman teed off for his second round on Friday afternoon, he was five strokes off the lead. Brian Harman – a 36-year-old from Georgia, USA – had torn up Hoylake with a brilliant 65 to climb to ten-under-par on a morning where scoring wasn’t even particularly low.
Fleetwood could have panicked and become overly aggressive in desperate pursuit of birdies to close the gap but patience is arguably the most important attribute for success in links golf and one the 32-year-old has been preaching this week.
This would prove a real test of how committed he is to that approach, even more so once his front nine contained eight pars and a bogey to fall another stroke behind. But he was rewarded for not overstretching himself as a monster birdie putt from almost 60 feet on the 10th helped inspire a back nine that also included birdies on the 14th and 15th, as well as hugely gutsy par saves on the final two holes – a putt from 11 feet at the 17th and an up-and-down from off the green at 18. A couple of additional bogeys were a slight setback but a battling 71 kept him in the tournament, five shots behind at five-under, and gives Harman pause for thought heading into the weekend.
Full report from Luke Baker at Royal Liverpool:
Patient Tommy Fleetwood prepared to go on a Harman hunt for Open glory
Tommy Fleetwood speaks to Sky Sports after his even-par round of 71
Friday 21 July 2023 20:56 , Ben Fleming
“It was tough, it was pretty windy and again it just feels so late coming down the stretch there.
“I think overall it is a very tough challenge of a golf course. I felt like I played so well at times, and it’s very difficult to make birdies really.
“Happy with how I played and ended up having to grind it out at the end, having to use different skills but all in all it was a good round.
“Long way to go. Brian [Harman’s] playing amazing. I watched him and he was playing so well. If you’d asked me if I wanted to be in the final group on Saturday I would have taken it. I don’t care how far I am behind.
“There’s a lot of golf to be played, and all you can do is play your own game, play each shot as it comes. Brian is clearly a long way ahead and he’s playing great golf so we’ll see what he does over the weekend but for me - keep doing the same things, stay consistent and we’ll see what we can do.”
Brian Harman hunting major breakthrough after surging clear at Open Championship
Friday 21 July 2023 20:46 , Ben Fleming
American Brian Harman responded to missing the cut in the Masters in April by returning to his farm in Georgia and killing a pig and a turkey.
Three months later, the left-hander carved out a commanding five-shot lead over home favourite Tommy Fleetwood at the halfway stage of the 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool.
Harman carded four birdies in a row on the front nine and holed from 15 feet for an eagle on the 18th to complete a flawless second round of 65 and post a 10-under-par halfway total of 132.
Read the full report of Friday’s action below:
Brian Harman hunting major breakthrough after surging clear at Open Championship
The Open 2023: History favours Harman
Friday 21 July 2023 20:36 , Ben Fleming
Brian Harman finished T6 at the Open last year. Now the American will go to sleep tonight with a five-shot lead over Tommy Fleetwood after a super second round.
It’s quite the ask for Fleetwood and the rest of the chasing pack. Harman is not the most experienced in the latter stages of major championships but his form and history will have him favourite:
Brian Harman holds a five-stroke lead at The Open Championship, becoming the ninth player in the last 40 years to hold a 36-hole lead of five strokes or more in a major championship.
Each of the previous eight went on to win: pic.twitter.com/uEz3OKbuKD— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) July 21, 2023
The Open 2023: Leaderboard latest
Friday 21 July 2023 20:33 , Ben Fleming
There are still a few players out on the course, but here is how the top of the leaderboard is looking currently:
-10: Harman
-5: Fleetwood
-4: Straka
-3: Min Woo Lee, Sharma, Day
-2: Spieth, Otaegui, Grillo
-1: McIlroy, Homa, Clark, Jordan and others
The Open 2023: Fowler and MacIntyre make the cut
Friday 21 July 2023 20:31 , Ben Fleming
Lowry +7 (77), Fowler +3 (73), MacIntyre +3 (71)
Rickie Fowler went out of bounds twice up the 18th yesterday and he is very close to doing so again today. He just about escapes but finds himself in the bunker after three. Up and down to make the cut...and it’s superb from the sand from Rickie. He’ll be here at the weekend.
MacIntyre plays the last far more conservatively than the American and gets in for the par to also extend his stay at Hoylake.
One big name who won’t be here for the weekend is Shane Lowry who ends his birdie-less day with another bogey to card a round of 77 and finish at +7 for the tournament. Not the tournament he would have wanted.
The Open 2023: Magical eagle by Smith at the last
Friday 21 July 2023 20:21 , Ben Fleming
Clark -1 (73), Schauffele +2 (74), Smith +2 (72)
Wyndham Clark makes a right mess of his third shot as his ball ends up in the greenside bunker. Faced with an awkward chip, he does well to get it out onto the green but he can only two putt for a par and a two-over-par round of 73.
Schauffele saves his first birdie of the day for the last to end at +2 and he is joined there by Cam Smith who taps in for his marvellous eagle to move inside the cut line after a one-over-par round of 72.
The Open 2023: Glorious shot from Smith
Friday 21 July 2023 20:14 , Ben Fleming
Clark -2 (17), Schauffele +3 (17), Smith +4 (17)
That is how you make the cut! An unbelievable second shot from Cameron Smith, whose fairway metal approach runs up the green, skirting the bunkers on the right edge before feeding down to within a couple of feet.
A virtual tap-in eagle for the defending champion who has saved his best for the last. He’ll be here for the weekend.
The Open 2023: Final-hole par for Fleetwood as Scheffler makes the cut
Friday 21 July 2023 20:10 , Ben Fleming
Fleetwood -5 (71), Scheffler +3 (75), Scott +3 (73)
Goodness me, you’re making it tricky for the home fans, Tommy. His second shot ends up next to the grandstand so he gets a free drop from the drop zone. He’s got the left bunkers in between him and the hole and his flop shot catches the downslope, sending the ball right off the other side of the green.
It’s a nice chip to five feet and he has that putt to stay at -5 and, crucially, in the final pairing for tomorrow...right in the heart! That is a gutsy even-par 71 in tough conditions. Having started today with the lead, he ends today five off Harman but tomorrow is a new day and Fleetwood will fancy his chances of closing down the American.
Scheffler, meanwhile, catches a huge break out of the bunker. His ball catches the face but somehow manages to still get out, with the ball spinning down to within tap-in range. A lucky break for the world number one who makes the cut on the number with that birdie.
A closing bogey for Scott who sits at +3 and also makes the cut on the number with Scheffler.
The Open 2023: Missed chance for Smith
Friday 21 July 2023 20:01 , Ben Fleming
Clark -2 (17), Schauffele +3 (17), Smith +4 (17)
Cam Smith needs a birdie in his last two holes to make the cut and should have one at 17 after a beautiful tee shot into the green. But, from eight feet, the defending champion can’t convert. Another bad miss from a player whose skill lies in his putting and he now needs a birdie on the last to see the weekend.
Clark makes par from the sand with a divine chip but Schauffele can’t do the same from the same bunker and will need a par on the last to make the cut.
The Open 2023: Lowry set to miss the cut
Friday 21 July 2023 19:59 , Ben Fleming
Lowry +6 (16), Fowler +3 (16), MacIntyre +3 (16)
Another bogey for the Irishman who snaps an iron around his neck in disgust as a loose iron shot ends up in the rough. It’s a bogey five and he now needs a birdie-birdie finish to see the weekend.
Fowler makes a solid putt to remain at +3, while MacIntyre cancels out a birdie on 15 with a bogey on 16 to drop back to +3. Two holes remaining for this group.
The Open 2023: Koepka scrapes inside the cut
Friday 21 July 2023 19:57 , Ben Fleming
Cantlay +3 (74), Koepka +3 (75), Matsuyama -1 (71)
Up the last, Brooks is in trouble as the PGA Champion goes out of bounds off the tee. He scrambles his way to a double-bogey seven which just sees him through to the weekend alongside Patrick Cantlay at +3.
Hideki Matsuyama holes out for his par and remains at -1 after his second round.
The Open 2023: Defending champion set to miss the cut
Friday 21 July 2023 19:44 , Ben Fleming
Clark -2 (16), Schauffele +2 (16), Smith +4 (16)
The 16th has been the second hardest hole on the course today and it claims more victims in the form of Schauffele and Smith. Xander now sits at +2 but the defending champion now sits at +4 which, like Scheffler, would see him miss the cut.
The Open 2023: Big par save for Fleetwood
Friday 21 July 2023 19:41 , Ben Fleming
Fleetwood -5 (17), Scheffler +4 (17), Scott +2 (17)
In the air, it looked very troubling for Fleetwood but his ball finds a way to avoid the bunker and the waste area on the left side. It’s a bit of a heavy-handed chip which runs past the hole but it’s a vital par putt coming back up the hill which just dies in the hole. He needs a par on the last now to ensure he’s in the final pairing tomorrow.
Scheffler? Well, you’ll never guess. It’s a beautiful pin-high iron approach to seven feet but the putter lets him down yet again. He stays at +4 and in need of a birdie, in all likelihood, to make the weekend.
Scott hits a good approach in which comes to rest below the hole but he too settles for par as his birdie effort comes up just short.
The Open 2023: Clark makes birdie
Friday 21 July 2023 19:33 , Ben Fleming
Clark -1 (15), Schauffele +1 (15), Smith +3 (15)
A good bounce-back birdie from Clark after his double bogey on the 13th. He takes care of the par-five 15th and moves back into that bunch at -2.
Smith uncharacteristically misses a short eight-feet birdie putt to remain at +3, while Schauffele makes par as well to remain at +1.
The Open 2023: Bogeys all round for Fleetwood, Scheffler and Scott
Friday 21 July 2023 19:29 , Ben Fleming
Fleetwood -5 (16), Scheffler +4 (16), Scott +2 (16)
Fleetwood leaks his third out to the right but the Englishman shows superb touch to guide his ball past the bunker and onto the green. It’s a confident putt to make bogey which is very good considering the circumstances.
What isn’t good is another bogey for Scheffler, his sixth of the round, which now leaves him below the projected cut as things stand.
A bogey too for Scott who drops to +2.
The Open 2023: Spieth, Day and Fitzpatrick round up
Friday 21 July 2023 19:26 , Ben Fleming
Spieth -2 (71), Day -3 (67), Fitzpatrick +2 (72)
Up the par-five last for these three and it’s a bad break for Spieth can’t get up and down to make a birdie and settles for par, as does Fitzpatrick who had to take a drop when his second shot flew into the grandstands.
Jason Day had the best look at par but he just missed on the left side. Three pars but the best of the work from Day with a four-under-par 67.
Plenty of work to do for Spieth while Fitzpatrick’s hopes have been all but dashed after that disaster on the 17th.
The Open 2023: Fleetwood and Scheffler in fairway bunker
Friday 21 July 2023 19:21 , Ben Fleming
Fleetwood -6 (15), Scheffler +3 (15), Scott +1 (15)
Not what Fleetwood would have wanted after those two birdies as he finds the fairway bunker. Scheffler joins him in the sand and both can only pitch out to the fairway. A big ask to save their pars now.
The Open 2023: Work to be done for Lowry
Friday 21 July 2023 19:19 , Ben Fleming
Lowry +5 (14), Fowler +3 (14), MacIntyre +3 (14)
Lowry is in the rough off the tee but his second shot finds the rough once more. Trouble for the 2019 champion who can only find the green in four. A two-putt double bogey means he sits at +5 and below the cut line as things stand.
Fowler and MacIntyre sit precariously on the cut line at +3.
The Open 2023: Superb Straka finishes in style
Friday 21 July 2023 19:15 , Ben Fleming
Straka -4 (67)
What’s better than five birdies on your back nine? How about six? Well, that’s exactly what Straka produces with a perfectly-judged approach into the final green before sinking a putt to come home in 31.
It’s a four-under-par 67 from the Austrian who catapults himself into solo third as things stand. Wonderful performance.
The Open 2023: Fleetwood within four of the lead
Friday 21 July 2023 19:12 , Ben Fleming
Fleetwood -6 (15), Scheffler +3 (15), Scott +1 (15)
Fleetwood’s game from tee to green has been superb these last few holes and his second shot in this par five is no different. It runs through the back but from there, it’s a fairly simple up and down.
He gives it plenty of run and it leaves him just three feet for the birdie...no problem! Back-to-back after the bogey on 13 and he’s within four of Harman.
Scott makes his par and it’s another (yep another!) short missed putt from Scheffler who just can’t hole anything for love nor money. He stays at +3 with three to go.
The Open 2023: Double bogey for Smith
Friday 21 July 2023 19:09 , Ben Fleming
Clark -1 (14), Schauffele +1 (14), Smith +3 (14)
The defending Open champion is another big name in danger of missing the cut after he gets in all sorts of trouble on the 14th. He finds the fairway bunker off the tee and then goes left with his approach to the green. From there he can’t get up and down, and it’s a double-bogey six to move him to the cut line.
Clark and Schauffele stay as they were with pars.
The Open 2023: Koepka faltering, Cantlay below cut
Friday 21 July 2023 19:00 , Ben Fleming
Cantlay +4 (15), Koepka E (15), Matsuyama -1 (15)
As we’ve said a few times, there are not a lot of low scores out there this afternoon. This trio are no different. Matsuyama and Koepka make par on the par-five 15th to remain at -1 and even respectively.
Cantlay, meanwhile, is in real danger of missing the cut after a fairway bunker leads to a bogey six. He’s one outside the projected cut as things stand.
The Open 2023 Mixed fortunes on 17
Friday 21 July 2023 18:54 , Ben Fleming
Spieth -2 (17), Day -3 (17), Fitzpatrick +2 (17)
Well, we were promised carnage on ‘little eye’ - the new par-three 17th and it’s delivered that for this group.
Spieth and Day fire their approaches in close but Fitzpatrick is in all kinds of bother over the back. From there, he has bad lie after bad lie with the 2022 US Open champion taking three shots to get out of the waster area. His third effort gets out but only lands in a greenside bunker.
In the end, he gets up and down well from the second sand trap but it comes at the cost of a triple-bogey six. Ouch.
Day converts his birdie effort to get to -3 while Spieth’s whistles past the hole’s edge. He remains at -2.
The Open 2023: Resurgent performance from the former champion
Friday 21 July 2023 18:49 , Ben Fleming
Stenson -1 (68)
The 2016 Open champion has been plying his trade on LIV Golf the past year and has not been in contention at many majors of late. But a bogey-free round of 68 has him into the red for the tournament and sitting nicely at -1.
The Open 2023: Straka on a hot streak
Friday 21 July 2023 18:46 , Ben Fleming
Straka -3 (17)
The Austrian nearly shot a 59 at the John Deere Classic a few weeks back and is known to be someone who can get very hot. It’s certainly happening this afternoon. There’s a bogey at the 16th but he responds in superb fashion with a birdie at the tricky 17th.
Five birdies in six holes and up to -3 for the tournament.
The Open 2023: Spieth saves par
Friday 21 July 2023 18:45 , Ben Fleming
Spieth -2 (16), Day -2 (16), Fitzpatrick -1 (16)
A mighty fine save from the bunker from Spieth to keep himself in the conversation at -2. He’s eight shots back but who knows what could happen at the weekend here.
Day remains at -2 with Fitzpatrick a further back at -1.
The Open 2023: Bounce-back birdie for Fleetwood
Friday 21 July 2023 18:42 , Ben Fleming
Fleetwood -5 (14), Scheffler +3 (14), Scott +1 (14)
Two wonderful shots in response to his bogey on the 13th from Fleetwood. He gives himself a great look at birdie from about 18 feet and it’s never in doubt! Right into the heart of the cup from the Englishman and a much-needed birdie to get back to even par for his round. Par five coming up...
Scheffler, though, is not moving in the right direction. His second shot leeks to the right again and he’s unable to get up and down to save his par. Three bogeys in four holes and he is in real danger of missing the cut.
Scott makes his par to continue his steady run and remain at +1.
The Open 2023: Double bogey for Clark
Friday 21 July 2023 18:38 , Ben Fleming
Clark -1 (13), Schauffele +1 (13), Smith +1 (13)
Well, if ever the live blogger’s curse was a thing, I’ve invoked it just there on poor Wyndham Clark. A moment after a solid birdie, the American finds the bunker with his tee shot into the 13th.
He has to pitch out backwards but doesn’t get enough on it and the ball merely rolls back into the sand. He can find the green this time with his sand wedge but it’s two putts down the slope for a double-bogey five.
Schauffele also misses a short one, dropping to +1 alongside Smith. Not a great hole for this group.
The Open 2023: Birdie for Clark
Friday 21 July 2023 18:31 , Ben Fleming
Clark -3 (12), Schauffele E (12), Smith +1 (12)
Wyndham Clark has not had it his own way today but the US Open champion has battled well and gets some reward with a fine shot out of the rough to 17 feet before converting for the birdie.
The Open 2023: Spieth drops further back
Friday 21 July 2023 18:29 , Ben Fleming
Spieth -2 (15), Day -2 (15), Fitzpatrick -1 (15)
Spieth’s front-nine charge has really faltered, with the former Open champion getting in all sorts of bother on the 15th. It’s a fairway bunker, then the greenside rough, then a short miss and a very costly bogey-six all things considered.
Back to -2 where he started the day. And he’s joined there by Jason Day who takes advantage of the par five to make a birdie four and move to -2.
Fitzpatrick makes par to remain at -1.
The Open 2023: Bogey for Fleetwood
Friday 21 July 2023 18:20 , Ben Fleming
Fleetwood -4 (13), Scheffler +2 (13), Scott +1 (13)
Oh, Tommy, Tommy, Tommy...safely aboard the par-three 13th but he’s left himself with work to do to save his par after his birdie putt flies on past the hole.
It’s seven feet coming back...no! Lips out and that’s a costly error and a birdie for the Englishman. He drops back to -4 and six back of Harman now.
Scheffler and Scott both miss good looks at birdie but have to settle for pars.
The Open 2023: Bogeys for Fowler and Lowry
Friday 21 July 2023 18:18 , Ben Fleming
Lowry +3 (11), Fowler +2 (11), MacIntyre +3 (11)
All three of these players are straying awfully close to the cut line, with Lowry and Fowler bogeying the 11th to drop to +3 and +2 respectively.
The projected cut is at +3 currently but could go to +4.
The Open 2023: Crashing back to earth for amateur Lamprecht
Friday 21 July 2023 18:15 , Ben Fleming
Lamprecht (a) +3 (79)
Eight bogeys, no birdies and a round of 79 for the overnight leader and amateur Chriso Lamprecht. He should be back for the weekend but that’s a tough afternoon’s toil after his incredible round yesterday.
The Open 2023: Back-to-back birdies for Young
Friday 21 July 2023 18:13 , Ben Fleming
Young -3 (10)
Cameron Young finished second at The Open last year at St Andrews and has quietly risen to a tie for third after a second consecutive birdie. His approach into the 10th is judged to perfection and leaves him with seven feet for his par which is no problem.
-At four under par for his round, it’s the best score of the afternoon wave from the American.
The Open 2023: Back-to-back bogeys for Scheffler
Friday 21 July 2023 18:08 , Ben Fleming
Fleetwood -5 (12), Scheffler +2 (12), Scott +1 (12)
I think this is one of the first times I’ve seen Scottie Scheffler visibly frustrated. “How did that happen,” he says as his iron shot leeks out to the right heading into 12. The world number one hacks out but there’s still plenty of work to do to save his par from the fringe...not to be. +2 for the tournament now and not moving in the right direction.
Fleetwood gets out well from the rough, seeing his ball run out to the back of the green before showing great judgement to lag it up right next to the cup, the ball just dying at the final hurdle. Still, a good par for the Englishman.
Scott makes par as well.
The Open 2023: Bogey for Koepka
Friday 21 July 2023 18:02 , Ben Fleming
Cantlay +2 (12), Koepka -1 (12), Matsuyama -1 (12)
A really bad three putt from Koepka who miscues his first putt before watching in frustration as his par putt lips out. He joins Matsuyama on -1 after the Japanese start made bogey a hole earlier.
Cantlay sits a bit further back on +2 after a poor start.
The Open 2023: Lovely touch from Spieth
Friday 21 July 2023 18:00 , Ben Fleming
Spieth -3 (14), Day -1 (14), Fitzpatrick -1 (14)
He’s hanging on in there, is Jordan Spieth. His second shot goes way right but it’s a lovely bump and run out of the rough to save his par. Day gets a good break with his second shot jumping out of the rough, but the Aussie can’t take advantage to save his par and has to settle for a bogey five.
A par for Fitzpatrick too who remains at -1.
Straka and Young moving up the board
Friday 21 July 2023 17:57 , Ben Fleming
Straka -2 (14), Young -2 (9)
There is a bit more company for the group at -2 as Sepp Straka and Cameron Young join them with a decent run of birdies in recent holes for the pair. Can either of them force themselves into the issue and a late pairing tomorrow?
The Open 2023: Rozner drops further back
Friday 21 July 2023 17:52 , Ben Fleming
Rozner -3 (6)
The Frenchman looks in for a long old day here given it’s nearly 6pm on the course and he’s only through the sixth hole. To make matters worse, it’s a bogey four on the 6th which sees him move back alongside a bunch of players at -3.
The Open 2023: Bogey for Scheffler
Friday 21 July 2023 17:51 , Ben Fleming
Fleetwood -5 (11), Scheffler +1 (11), Scott +1 (11)
It’s the tee shot that creates the problems for Scottie on the 11th but, in the end, his fate is sealed by another short miss as his 7-foot par save just misses on the low side of the hole.
Fleetwood, meanwhile, plays a solid hole and walks off with a par to remain at -5. Scott, too, with a par.
The Open 2023: Birdie for Fowler
Friday 21 July 2023 17:47 , Ben Fleming
Lowry +2 (9), Fowler +1 (9), MacIntyre +3 (9)
This group is toiling away as they make the turn with every one of them keen to ensure they are here for the weekend. In that sense, it’s a much-needed birdie for Fowler to move to +1 while MacIntyre moves the other way, making bogey and dropping to +3.
The Open 2023: Bogey for Schauffele
Friday 21 July 2023 17:37 , Ben Fleming
Clark -2 (9), Schauffele E (9), Smith +1 (9)
Eight-straight pars are interrupted by a bogey from Schauffele on the ninth. moving him back to even par for the tournament. Wyndham Clark cuts a frustrated figure once more as his look at birdie just misses while Smith also makes par as this trio make the turn.
The Open 2023: Monster putt for Fleetwood
Friday 21 July 2023 17:35 , Ben Fleming
Fleetwood -5 (10), Scheffler E (10), Scott +1 (10)
Well, scrap that last post, because we have a birdie at last and what a putt it is! 58 feet from the front of the tenth green, Fleetwood’s ball thinks about giving up at various points but just has enough rolls in it to die in the front-left edge of the hole.
A huge roar from the crowd and a big show of emotion from Fleetwood who has his first birdie of the day. Five back of Harman now.
Scheffler scrambles well to save his par while Scott also makes a four.
Pars all round
Friday 21 July 2023 17:31 , Ben Fleming
Spieth -3 (12), Day -2 (12), Fitzpatrick -1 (12)
There’s an obvious lack of birdies out there at the minute and that will please Brian Harman as he presides over a six-shot lead at the top of the leaderboard. Speth, Day and Fitzpatrick continue their way around the back nine with a trio of pars at the 12th.
The Open 2023: Cam Smith hanging in
Friday 21 July 2023 17:22 , Ben Fleming
Clark -2 (8), Schauffele -1 (8), Smith +1 (8)
It’s been a far more consistent front nine for Smith today and he’s rewarded with a birdie on the 8th to get him back to +1.
Clark and Schauffele are still yet to find a birdie and remain at -2 and -1 respectively.
The Open 2023: Scott birdie as Fleetwood makes the turn
Friday 21 July 2023 17:19 , Ben Fleming
Fleetwood -4 (9), Scheffler E (9), Scott +1 (9)
Another solid tee shot from Fleetwood comes to rest just off the green in the fringe. There’s a half-chance of a birdie but, in the end, it’s a tap-in par for the Englishman.
Scheffler makes his par but the hole belongs to Adam Scott whose fine shot off the tee is rewarded with his first birdie of the day to get back to +1.
These three make the turn. Fleetwood needs a couple of birdies you have to think.
The Open 2023: Back-to-back bogeys for Spieth
Friday 21 July 2023 17:11 , Ben Fleming
Spieth -3 (11), Day -2 (11), Fitzpatrick -1 (11)
Having praised Spieth’s short-game skills earlier, it’s the wedge that lets the American down as his chip goes all the way across the green before running off the other side. He can get up and down with the putter but it’s only for a bogey and he drops back to -3 now.
Day and Fitzpatrick stay as they were.
The Open 2023: Rozner drops back
Friday 21 July 2023 17:09 , Ben Fleming
Rozner -4 (3)
The Frenchman was the last at -5 but he’s back alongside Fleetwood at -4 after a dropped shirt on the third.
The Open 2023: Fleetwood saves par
Friday 21 July 2023 17:08 , Ben Fleming
Fleetwood -4 (8), Scheffler E (8), Scott +2 (8)
Work to be done for Scheffler and Fleetwood as both of their approaches to the eighth come up short. Their respective chips come up short and there is work to be done for their pars.
Scottie first...missed. Fleetwood second...made. Two putts from similar locations but it’s a dropped shot for the world number one and a crucial save for the Englishman.
A nice par too for Scott as these three head to the ninth.
The Open 2023: Local lad Jordan into the weekend
Friday 21 July 2023 17:01 , Ben Fleming
Jordan -1 (72)
The fairytale continues for Matthew Jordan. After a double bogey on the 17th, he just misses out on a birdie at the last but the local lad and Hoylake member will be here for the weekend. A one-over-par round of 72 has him at -1 for the tournament and right in the thick of it as he tips his cap to the cheering crowds in the grandstands behind him.
The Open 2023
Friday 21 July 2023 17:00 , Jack Rathborn
The Open 2023: Birdie-birdie-bogey for MacIntyre
Friday 21 July 2023 16:58 , Ben Fleming
Lowry +2 (6), Fowler +2 (6), MacIntyre +3 (5)
Moments ago, the Scot was signing a glove after he caught a fan with a wayward shot. But it’s looking much better now as he pours in successive birdies to move to +2 and a couple clear off the cut line.
Well, he was but a wayward tee shot on the par-three sixth means he drops one straight away and is back to +3.
Fowler also makes bogey and he drops back alongside Shane Lowry at +2 who executes a superb save from the bunker to make his par.
The Open 2023: Dropped shot for Spieth
Friday 21 July 2023 16:55 , Ben Fleming
Spieth -4 (10), Day -2 (10), Fitzpatrick -1 (10)
Those trying to chase down Brian Harman’s score only appear to be going the opposite way at the minute. Spieth’s second shot into the 10th goes long and the American can’t make his par-save. He drops to -4.
Day, meanwhile, is on the move up after a wonderful iron into the green. The Aussie converts to go to -2, one clear of Fitzpatrick who remains at -1.
The Open 2023: Fleetwood pars
Friday 21 July 2023 16:52 , Ben Fleming
Fleetwood -4 (7), Scheffler -1 (7), Scott +2 (7)
Another fine iron into the seventh creates a good look at birdie for Fleetwood. It’s around 25 feet, but while they were all dropping yesterday, most of these efforts have been coming up agonisingly short.
Scheffler makes a good par to make his par, as does Scott.
The Open 2023: Bogey for Clark
Friday 21 July 2023 16:43 , Ben Fleming
Clark -2 (6), Schauffele -1 (6), Smith +2 (6)
Last month’s US Open champion is way left of the tee into the par-three sixth and the American can’t get up and down to save his par. Back to -2 for him. Schauffele misses a good look at birdie while Smith also makes par meaning they stay as they were. Little happening for this trio at the moment.
The Open 2023: Birdie for Cantlay
Friday 21 July 2023 16:40 , Ben Fleming
Cantlay +1 (7), Koepka -2 (7), Matsuyama -2 (7)
Long-range birdie approaches for Koepka and Matsuyama come up short but Cantlay is rewarded for his fine approach into the seventh with a virtual tap-in for birdie. Back to +1 for the American.
The Open 2023: Spieth makes the turn
Friday 21 July 2023 16:37 , Ben Fleming
Spieth -5 (9), Day -1 (9), Fitzpatrick -1 (9)
It’s been a super front nine from Spieth who misses the chance to make it even better with a look at birdie on the ninth. It doesn’t drop but he’s made a good early move and is now five off the lead.
Fitzpatrick pours one in at the end to get into the red for the tournament and alongside Day at -1.
The Open 2023: Bogey for Fleetwood
Friday 21 July 2023 16:32 , Ben Fleming
Fleetwood -4 (6), Scheffler -1 (6), Scott +2 (6)
Well, Tommy would have hoped that his first step today would have been forward but instead, it’s a disappointing bogey on the par-three sixth.
His tee shot ends up in the bunker and it’s an excellent shot from the sand to set up a par-saving putt. However, the opportunity passes him by as the eight-footer drifts to the right.
Scheffler two putts well for his par while Scott drops a further shot back after a bogey as well.
The Open 2023: Nice par save from Spieth
Friday 21 July 2023 16:28 , Ben Fleming
Spieth -5 (8), Day -1 (8), Fitzpatrick E (8)
Some more short-game excellence from Spieth as he recovers nicely from a leeky iron into the green. He stays at -5, as do Day and Fitzpatrick at -1 and even as the trio all make par.
The Open 2023: Rozner starts with birdie
Friday 21 July 2023 16:22 , Ben Fleming
Rozner -5 (1)
One of the day’s last starters, Antoine Rozner, immediately improves on his overnight score with a birdie at the first. The Frenchman is sitting pretty at -5 now.
The Open 2023: Birdie chance goes begging for Fleetwood
Friday 21 July 2023 16:21 , Ben Fleming
Fleetwood -5 (5), Scheffler -1 (5), Scott +1 (5)
The Englishman’s second shot heads a little left and nestles in the rough but it’s hacked out well to about 15 feet for a look at birdie...it’s a good put but just whistles past the left edge. Not to be but no harm done in these opening rounds.
Scheffler finds the green in two and nurses his lengthy eagle putt down close to get back in the red with a birdie.
A par for Scott who remains at +1.
Sharma finishes with birdie
Friday 21 July 2023 16:16 , Ben Fleming
Sharma -3 (71)
It was a nasty double bogey after the Indian went long on the 17th but he responds in superb fashion with a birdie at the par-five last to finish on -3 and even par for his second round. A really solid round for the birthday boy who is seven shots off the lead.
The Open 2023: Defending champ waiting for spark
Friday 21 July 2023 16:13 , Ben Fleming
Clark -3 (4), Schauffele -1 (4), Smith +2 (4)
Not much coming from this group early on as Schauffele and Clark see their long-range birdie chances come up tantalisingly close. Nothing of real consequence yet to drop for these three.
The Open 2023: Koepka and Matsuyama make a move
Friday 21 July 2023 16:08 , Ben Fleming
Cantlay +2 (5), Koepka -2 (5), Matsuyama -5 (5)
Plenty of birdie chances on offer at the fifth with Brooks Koepka and Hideki Matsuyama the latest to take advantage. The pair move to -2 and into the top ten. Their other playing partner, Patrick Cantlay, has started slowly with three dropped shots in his first two holes and sits four further back at +2.
The Open 2023: Short-game magic for Spieth
Friday 21 July 2023 16:05 , Ben Fleming
Spieth -5 (6), Day -1 (6), Fitzpatrick E (6)
Almost a chip-in from the American who looks to be thriving on this course so far.
Pars for Day and Fitzpatrick as well.
The Open 2023: Par five coming up for Fleetwood
Friday 21 July 2023 15:55 , Ben Fleming
Fleetwood -5 (4), Scheffler E (4), Scott +1 (4)
It’s been a very solid start for Fleetwood who has had a couple of long-range looks at birdie thus far. None have dropped but no damage to the scorecard.
Earlier in the day, Harman made his move on these first five holes with four birdies in that run. Fleetwood must now look to make take advantage of the par-five fifth to get his round moving in the right direction.
Scheffler and Scott also make their pars.
The Open 2023: Pars all round
Friday 21 July 2023 15:52 , Ben Fleming
Clark -3 (3), Schauffele -1 (3), Smith +2 (3)
The third is safely negotiated by these three as Clark and Schauffele tap in their par putts to remain level par for the day.
The Open 2023: Spieth level with Fleetwood
Friday 21 July 2023 15:48 , Ben Fleming
Spieth -5 (6), Day -1 (6), Fitzpatrick E (6)
Make that two in a row and three in his first six for Jordan Spieth. The former Open champion takes dead aim at the sixth, leaving himself 20 feet for a birdie which he duly converts. He’s up alongside -5 with Fleetwood now.
A bogey for Day sees him drop back to -1 while Fitzpatrick makes par.
The Open 2023: Cink lurking with intent
Friday 21 July 2023 15:42 , Ben Fleming
Cink -4 (8)
Two birdies in his last four holes for the 2009 champion who bounces back from his bogey at the first to get up to -4 for the tournament. Not bad for the 50-year-old.
The Open 2023: Spieth on the march
Friday 21 July 2023 15:40 , Ben Fleming
Spieth -4 (5), Day -2 (5), Fitzpatrick E (5)
Well, he loves these links conditions and Jordan Spieth is already feeling right at home in this second round. He’s on the green in two after two almighty blows up the par-five fifth. He can’t quite convert the look at eagle but he’s good enough for a birdie to move to -4.
Day and Fitzpatrick show good touch with their wedges to also ensure they come away with birdies.
The Open 2023: Steady start for Tommy
Friday 21 July 2023 15:37 , Ben Fleming
Fleetwood -5 (3), Scheffler E (3), Scott +1 (3)
Still no change for these three as they all see long-rage efforts evade the cups. They’ll want to make inroads on the par-five fifth to kick-start their rounds, one suspects.
The Open 2023: The dream continues for Sharma and Jordan
Friday 21 July 2023 15:35 , Ben Fleming
Sharma -4 (16), Jordan -3 (13)
These two are continuing to mix it up at the top of the leaderboard. Sharma makes use of the par-five 15th to move to -4 while Jordan lets out a roar on the 13th as he makes birdie at the par three. Both sitting pretty inside the top ten as things stand.
The Open 2023: Fleetwood pars second
Friday 21 July 2023 15:26 , Ben Fleming
Fleetwood -5 (2), Scheffler E (2), Scott +1 (2)
An outside look at birdie for Tommy at the second but the 20-foot effort drifts by. Pars all round for this group at the second.
The Open 2023: Disaster for Hatton at the last
Friday 21 July 2023 15:25 , Ben Fleming
Homa -1 (73), Hatton +2 (73), Morikawa +4 (73)
Goodness me, Tyrell. What a nightmare. Teeing off the par-five 18th he goes out of bounds with his first tee shot. Reload. Out of bounds again. Disaster.
Third time lucky he keeps it in play but it’s way left into the spectators. It ends up with a quadruple bogey nine for the Englishman who crashes from -2 to +2 in the space of one hole. A real heartbreaking finish for him after such a solid round up to that point.
A par for Homa at the last leaves him at -1. A poor finish perhaps rubs some of the shine off that round but he’s battled away nicely and in contention over the weekend.
The same can’t be said of Morikawa, who will need some help from those still out there if he is to make the cut.
The Open 2023: Bogey start for defending champion
Friday 21 July 2023 15:20 , Ben Fleming
Clark -3 (1), Schauffele -1 (1), Smith +2 (1)
Not the start Cam Smith would have wanted after a bogey five at the first moves him to +2. He’s playing alongside Xander Schauffele and Wyndham Clark who sit at -1 and -3 respectively.
The Open 2023: Birdie for McIlroy at the last
Friday 21 July 2023 15:16 , Ben Fleming
McIlroy -1 (70), Rahm +2 (70), Rose +6 (74)
A slightly awkward third shot for Rory as his second shot comes to rest left of the green with bunkers between him and the green. Nicely done, though, by the Northern Irishman who gets it to eight feet before nursing in a birdie putt to finish. -1 is some way off Harman but he’s by no means out of it and has been some way off his ball-striking best so far.
It’s an infuriating lip-out at the last for Rahm who makes bogey to end at +2. It’s also a one-under-par round but Rahm looks far from pleased and who could blame him? It’s been nowhere near his high standards and he’ll need a monster weekend to trouble the leaders.
Rose signs off with a par but at +6, his tournament will be over.
The Open 2023: Day starting fast
Friday 21 July 2023 15:11 , Ben Fleming
Spieth -3 (4), Day -1 (4), Fitzpatrick +1 (4)
Spieth rolls in a solid par putt to continue his good start to the round. He’s joined in the red by Jason Day after the Aussie’s good birdie on the third.
The Open 2023: Back-to-back bogeys for Homa
Friday 21 July 2023 15:09 , Ben Fleming
Homa -1 (17), Hatton -2 (17), Morikawa +5 (17)
No doubt, more frustration for Homa who gives away another shot having flailed left with his tee shot into the 17th. Back to -1 for American heading up the last.
Hatton makes his par as does Morikawa, who at +5, needs at least a birdie on the 18th to have some chance of making the weekend.
The Open 2023: Fleetwood underway
Friday 21 July 2023 15:06 , Ben Fleming
Fleetwood -5 (1), Scheffler E (1), Scott +1 (1)
Well, here he is. Tommy lad, approaches the first tee to a warm reception from his home crowd. He left the grounds yesterday with a share of the lead but now he tees off five strokes behind Brian Harman after the American’s scintillating round earlier in the day. Fleetwood will want to make a dent into that lead but can’t get too aggressive and face giving away any more of an advantage.
It’s a solid par at the first for him with his playing partner, Adam Scott, missing a good chance for birdie.
Scottie? Well, it’s the same as usual for him as of late. More putting woes as the world number one sees a five-foot putt slide past the hole. An opening bogey for him.
The Open 2023: Final hole birdie for Hovland
Friday 21 July 2023 15:00 , Ben Fleming
Hovland E (72), Finau +6 (75), Thomas +11 (71)
A battling round comes to an end for Victor Hovland with a welcome birdie on the final hole. A one-over-par round of 72 leaves him at even par for the tournament but in tricky morning conditions, that’s a more than solid effort from the Norwegian.
There will be disappointment for Tony Finau who ended with three bogeys in his last four to sit at +6 - that will be an early flight home for him and his fellow countrymen, Justin Thomas. Ironically, after his shocking round of 81 yesterday, the two-time major champion shot the best round in this group with an even-par 71.
The Open 2023: Bogey for Homa
Friday 21 July 2023 14:55 , Ben Fleming
Homa -2 (16), Hatton -2 (16)
Just two pars since the fifth hole for Homa now as he can’t quite scramble from the back of the 16th green to save par. He drops back to -2 alongside his playing partner, Tyrell Hatton, who makes par.
The Open 2023: Back-to-back birdies for Rahm
Friday 21 July 2023 14:49 , Ben Fleming
McIlroy E (17), Rahm +1 (17), Rose +6 (17)
Well, the best shot of the day into 17 has already been won by Travis Smyth after his earlier hole-in-one but there won’t be many better than Rahm’s approach off the tee which settles 7 feet from the hole. The Spaniard knocks it in for his second successive birdie and barring a disaster on 18, he should now safely make the weekend.
Rory ends up in the semi-rough out to the left but does well to get up and down to save par. Rose, too, makes par but looks likely to miss the cut regardless.
The Open 2023: Early birdie for Spieth
Friday 21 July 2023 14:36 , Ben Fleming
Spieth -3 (2), Day E (2), Fitzpatrick +1 (2)
Some of the afternoon wave are getting underway and the first of those is Jordan Spieth, Jason Day at Matt Fitzpatrick. Day kicked us off with a birdie at the first but it’s Spieth who makes the most of the second with a huge drive and a chip to set up a birdie three. Up to -3 now for the former Open champion.
The Open 2023: Pars for Rory and Rahm
Friday 21 July 2023 14:34 , Ben Fleming
McIlroy E (16), Rahm +2 (16), Rose +6 (16)
High into the sky with the iron from the fairway for Rory and safely aboard the green. It’s a lengthy left-to-right look for birdie but it just misses on the high side. It races by a bit too much for his liking but it’s in for par.
Rahm’s second trickles into the bunker and it’s another sandy scramble required for the Spaniard. He’s got work to do to save his par but knocks it in comfortably to stay at +2
The Open 2023: Birdies for Homa and Hatton
Friday 21 July 2023 14:30 , Ben Fleming
Homa -3 (15), Hatton -2 (15)
Another group comes through the 15th and more birdies forthcoming. Homa bounces back after his bogey at the hole prior to get back up to -3 while Hatton sees his eagle effort come up short but taps in to move further up the leaderboard to -2.
The Open 2023: Bogey on 9 as Jordan makes turn
Friday 21 July 2023 14:26 , Ben Fleming
Jordan -2 (9)
A shame for the local lad who misses a par putt on the ninth to drop back to -2 as he makes the turn. Still, even par for the round and right in this tournament.
The Open 2023: Birdie for Rahm as Rory bogeys
Friday 21 July 2023 14:17 , Ben Fleming
McIlroy E (15), Rahm +2 (15), Rose +6 (15)
Rahm’s approach into par five is a good one, running through to just off the back off the green. It’s a simple enough up and down for a golfer of his quality, and he makes no mistake to ease the pressure on his chances of missing the cut.
It’s the complete opposite for Rory, however, who makes a costly bogey six. From the fairway bunker, he chips out before finding the greenside rough. Like Finau moments earlier, he can’t get up and down to save par and moves back to even par. Less than ideal.
Rose makes a much-needed birdie but he’ll need two, most likely three in his final three holes to make the cut.
The Open 2023: Topsy-turvy round for Homa
Friday 21 July 2023 14:13 , Ben Fleming
Homa -2 (14), Hatton -1 (14)
Homa has made just one par in his last nine holes. There have been five birdies in that run but also a double bogey and two bogeys. The last bogey comes at the tricky 14th as the American falls back to -2 but with a chance to immediately bounce back at the par-five 15th.
The Open 2023: Hovland back to level par, bogey for Finau
Friday 21 July 2023 14:08 , Ben Fleming
Hovland E (15), Finau +4 (15)
Hovland takes care of the par-five 15th, rolling a shortish birdie putt to get back to level par. On the other hand, it’s a really bad hole for Tony Finau who finds the fairway bunker off the tee, followed by the greenside rough after his third shot.
The American can’t get up and down to save par and makes a bogey six. He’ll have been eyeing up birdie but with that bogey, he’s now below the cut line and in need of a birdie coming in.
The Open 2023: The dropped shots for Lamprecht
Friday 21 July 2023 14:05 , Ben Fleming
Lamprecht (a) -2 (4)
I’m sure the South African wouldn’t have thought it was all going to be plain sailing after his first round but he’s certainly come crashing back to earth after this start.
Another wild tee shot, another bogey and having started the day as the overnight leader, he’s now eight off the pace.
The Open 2023: Good par saves for Rory and Rahm
Friday 21 July 2023 14:03 , Ben Fleming
McIlroy -1 (14), Rahm +3 (14), Rose +7 (14)
The tricky 14th is next and both Rahm and McIlroy have work to do after chipping onto the green. Two very nice putting strokes and two very helpful par saves follow.
Not so for Justin Rose who drops further back to +7. His tournament looks to be coming to a close.
The Open 2023: Eagle at the last for Harman to shoot 65
Friday 21 July 2023 13:56 , Ben Fleming
Harman -10 (65)
Wow, wow, wow. It just gets better for the leader on the final hole. Stripped down the middle off the tee before chasing an iron up onto the green for a look at eagle.
It’s 14 feet but with his supreme touch on the greens, it feels like four feet and in it goes!
A remarkable bogey-free round of 65 for Harman who rockets up to -10 and currently leads the Open by five shots.
Fleetwood is still to come this afternoon but he’ll have to play superbly well to get up around Harman who has made this course look far, far easier than it looks.
The Open 2023: Clutch par save for Homa
Friday 21 July 2023 13:54 , Ben Fleming
Homa -3 (13), Hatton -1 (13)
Some trouble off the tee for Homa who goes right of the green. He leaves himself around 25 feet for the par but rattles it in comfortably. A pump of the first for the American who knows how big that was.
Hatton shows some terrific touch around the green to chip close and save par.
The Open 2023: Another early bogey for Lamprecht
Friday 21 July 2023 13:50 , Ben Fleming
Lamprecht (a) -3 (3)
A real lack of control from the big South African off the tee as another flails out to the left. From there, it’s an uphill battle and ends with another dropped shot early in his round.
The Open 2023: Hovland over par
Friday 21 July 2023 13:47 , Ben Fleming
Hovland +1 (14), Finau +3 (14)
Trouble off the tee for Viktor Hovland who can only hack out from the fairway bunker. His follow-up approach in gives him a look at saving par but it slides by for the Norwegian who drops to +1 for the tournament.
Finau catches a great break with his approach into the green as his ball hops out of the left rough before trickling down onto the green. He can’t take advantage, however, and has to settle for a par.
The Open 2023: Birdies for Homa and Hatton
Friday 21 July 2023 13:43 , Ben Fleming
Homa -3 (12), Hatton -1 (12)
What’s the best way to respond to a double bogey on the 11th? By birdieing the 12th, obviously. That’s exactly what Max Homa does with his birdie effort from the fringe just short of the green. A battling performance from the American who gets back to level par for his round today.
Hatton found his way onto the putting surface and he also cashes in for his second birdie in three holes. Up to -1 and into the red for the Englishman.
The Open 2023: Rahm and McIlroy toiling away
Friday 21 July 2023 13:39 , Ben Fleming
McIlroy -1 (13), Rahm +3 (13), Rose +6 (13)
It looks a real battle out there at the minute with Rory and Rahm experiencing that first-hand. McIlroy has work to do from the sand while Rahm is just off the green.
Classy stuff from the pair, though, as they both get up and down nicely to save their pars.
The Open 2023: Another par save for Harman
Friday 21 July 2023 13:37 , Ben Fleming
Harman -8 (17)
A slight bit of trouble for the American off the tee as his iron into the par three just drops into the bunker. It’s well dug out of the sand and he’s got just over seven feet for par...nerveless stuff by the American who fires it right into the heart of the cup.
A near-perfect round of golf from the leader who has a final chance at a birdie on the par-five 18th.
The Open 2023: Hovland steadies the ship
Friday 21 July 2023 13:36 , Ben Fleming
Hovland E (13), Finau +3 (13)
After a couple of bogeys, Hovland steadies the ship with a pair of pars, the second coming after a very solid nine-foot putt. Finau makes his par too as he continues to flirt dangerously with the cut line.
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