Louis Oosthuizen sits nicely at the top of the leaderboard after 36 holes of the 149th Open Championship at Royal St. George’s in Kent, England. He carded a two-round total of 129, which is one better than the lowest score previously held by Nick Faldo and Brandt Snedeker.
Faldo carded a 36 hole total of 130 at Muirfield in the 1992 Open Championship and held a three-shot lead going into the weekend. He went on to win by one shot over American John Cook.
Snedeker could only manage a tied third result as Ernie Els became the champion in 2012 at Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club.
Brooks Koepka who is 3 under par for the championship currently holds the lowest two-round total (128) in a major championship, which he recorded when he won the 2019 PGA Championship at the Bethpage Black Course.
Oosthuizen has played near-flawless golf on the first two days at Royal St. George’s. His first round, 64, included six birdies and no bogies and his second round, 65, contained four birdies, an eagle and only a single bogey. His closest rivals, Collin Morikawa and Jordan Spieth, also have very few blemishes on their scorecards.
Early on moving day, Rory McIlroy looked like he was going to put a bit of pressure on the leaders after shooting a phenomenal front nine 4 under par, recording five birdies and one bogey. Unfortunately, a 3 over par second nine saw his chances of another Open Championship title fade as he finished the day on 1 under.
Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre made the cut on the number after making birdie on the last hole yesterday and has taken full advantage with a round of 65 to sit on 4 under par for the championship.
MacIntyre has played in seven major championships since turning professional and has successfully made the cut in each start. In his first Open Championship appearance, he placed tied sixth and he is well positioned to have another good finish this week.
European Ryder Cup captain, Padraig Harrington, is on 3 over par after rounds of 72, 68 and 73.
Darren Clarke, a former Ryder Cup captain and 2011 Open Champion, when the championship was last played at Royal St. George’s, missed the cut after rounds of 71 and 75.
Cameron Smith of Australia is making a charge up the leaderboard and currently finds himself at 7 under par after making three birdies in his opening nine holes today.
Adam Scott, who was very close to claiming the Open Championship in 2012 is the only other Australian to make the cut and is on 2 over par for the championship after three rounds.
Last week’s Scottish Open champion and fellow Australian, Min Woo Lee missed the cut by two shots after rounds of 74 and 69.
Defending champion, Shane Lowry is on 3 under par and 2021 US Open Champion Jon Rahm is one shot better on 5 under par.
If Oosthuizen is to take home his second Open Championship he will need to continue his good play today as there are a number of players in form behind him. It is sure to be a close battle in the sun this afternoon.
