There are going to be a lot of people pulling for Phil Mickelson to win the British Open this weekend because, at 46, they know chances like the one he has at Royal Troon won’t come around as often in the future.
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McIlroy, who complained about links golf after playing in story weather at Royal St. George’s five years ago, has come to grips with the capriciousness of the British Open.
Reigning champion Zach Johnson is still in the running to become the first player to win the Claret Jug in successive years since Padraig Harrington in 2007 and 2008.
On a cool, blustery day along the Irish Sea, Phil Mickelson starts out at 10 under and clinging to a one-stroke lead over Henrik Stenson.
It was Stenson’s best round ever at the Open in his 12th appearance.
He still managed to stay out front in the British Open.
Asked about the influence of the gods and American winners at Troon, he smiled and said: “I think that, again, that’s probably due to the gods, and I would expect them to be consistent”.
“I was anxious about guys going low on the lovely day and then not keeping pace, so yesterday’s round was a big round for me to ultimately set the pace, and not lose too much ground, because I felt like I’d be best prepared for days like today”.
With a massive cut spread, the weather will play a huge part as the week goes on.
Henrik Stenson was among those who took advantage of fortuitous timing. “You want different wind directions, you want sun, you want rain”.
“I made one or two bad swings that led to bogeys”, he admitted. And he wound up with a Friday-best 65 that enabled him to close within one shot of Mickelson.
“I’ve played a lot of golf with him this year”. “It’s still early in the tournament, though”. We’re only halfway through. But so far so good.
“It’s just more fun to play well”, Bradley said.
After teeing off at 2.04pm, Rose was among the players affected by heavy rain and strong gusts of wind late afternoon.
“Some draws go your way and some draws don’t”, he said, remembering how fortuitous he was during his victory at Hoylake in 2014.
Just look at the leaderboard.
The 123-yard signature hole at Royal Troon never disappoints.
“This was really a salty little shot”, explained Mickelson, who wore a black all-weather glove on each hand to combat the intermittent downpours.
Soren Kjeldsen (-7) – Though Kjeldsen is the least known of the names at the top of the leaderboard, he may be the most risky.
Of the 26 players in the field who are under par, only four had afternoon tee times Friday. Two hours before he finished, that looked as if it would earn him a trip back to Texas.
“But that’s about as tough as you’re going to see the back nine play”. “Five majors? Yeah, it’s going to be easier in that way”, said the Swede, who said his target was to get back into title contention having failed to do so in the previous six major championships.
McIlroy made back-to-back birdies to reach 5 under for the tournament through seven holes, five shots behind Phil Mickelson and in a tie for fifth.
No. 2 Dustin Johnson was safely inside the cut line and third-ranked Jordan Spieth shot even-par Thursday and had a 9:04 a.m. ET tee time for the second round. “I just say my prayers”, added Sordet.
Patrick Reed holds the clubhouse lead at The Open, but described the difference between the front and back nine at Royal Troon as “David versus Goliath”.
Clutch under pressure, Scott produced a series of scrambling par saves to complement birdies at the ninth, 16th and 17th holes, where he buried a 30-footer to ignite his otherwise scrappy round. If he hits 31 of 36 greens in regulation on the weekend like he has these first two days, he has a good chance to hoist the Claret Jug.
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And he wouldn’t mind seeing it there again. The fact I’ve done it relieves some of that.
