He has never missed the cut in the US Open and British Open in the same year.
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The conditions have been particularly grueling on more exposed parts of the course – in particular the 11th hole – and contenders Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Jordan Spieth all falling foul of the high winds.
“I feel like he’s just got the most confidence in the world and that’s what you need in this sport”, Niebrugge said of Spieth.
It was then announced that, going by forecasts, no play would be possible until at least 3pm (9pm Thailand time), and that was then put back by another hour, leading to the Monday finish announcement.
There were 42 players still on the course when second-round play was called on Friday, which had a suspension of more than three hours in the morning because of heavy rain. The 31-year-old has yet to have completed his second round after the tournament was suspended yesterday due to bad weather.
Spieth three-putted for par on the 14th hole and swiped his putter in disgust as leaving two of those putts short.
Former US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy, who finished his second round on Friday, had some sympathy for both his fellow players and also organisers.
England’s Danny Willett is on 9-under after finishing his second round earlier in the day.
With the cut projected to be at even-par, Fox dropped to one-over after making bogey on the eighth, leaving him facing an anxious wait for the winds to ease.
It was an emotional day for Tom Watson, who was playing in his final competitive round of gold at St. Andrews.
Zach Johnson began the day on six under and parred the first four holes before back-to-back birdies propelled the 2007 Masters champion into a tie with former English Amateur champion Willett.
With winds gusting to around 70kmh and no respite in sight until mid-afternoon, the prospect of a Monday finish to the Open for only the second time is increasing.
Adam Scott (67), Robert Streb (71) and Marc Warren (69) also finished the second round at 7-under.
Dustin Johnson has recent history on his side as he looks to end his run of major misery with victory in the Open Championship, which will finish on a Monday for just the second time ever. Watson stopped at the top of the bridge on the 18th hole for photos and was cheered by the few hundred fans still left in the cold and dark as he walked up the fairway with a wide smile on his face.
Phil Mickelson played in the morning and shot even-par to stand 2-under.
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The last seven major winners have led or shared the lead after 36 holes, but Johnson has already let several chances slip through his fingers.
