147th Open leaderboard https://www.theopen.com/
The rain has arrived for the Friday morning wave at Carnoustie taking some of the sting out of this burnt out championship course and presenting a completely different test for the world's best.
I spent considerable time in my post on Wednesday talking about the weather, because everything for the players, depends on what Mother Nature provides. The rain is expected to stop today around 3pm local time with very little wind so you'd think the late wave will get the best scoring conditions.
Kevin Kisner has just teed off in round 2, at 1pm, (8am EST) and he held the overnight lead after an opening -5 66, so he should be one to benefit, however the pins are tucked, the ball isn't running as far, many bunkers that were bypassed yesterday are in play today, the weather is cooler and the ball isn't carrying,so I don't expect a runaway by anybody.
This morning Tommy Fleetwood went out with the rest in a steady rain and hit fairway after fairway with his exceptional driving, posted a -6 65, and currently has a share of second with Kisner at -5, a shot behind two time major winner Zach Johnson whose -4 67 has him ahead at -6.
Rory is looking much more comfortable and right at home on these fabled links, he didn't have a chance to bomb it today like he did in the sunshine on Thursday, but his irons were superb, his putting much better on these slower greens (10 on the stimpmeter compared to 12 and up on a normal PGA Tour event). He posted his second straight -2 69 and is in the clubhouse drying off at -4.
Remember this Open championship is a marathon not a sprint. They start at 6.30am and finish around 7pm, so there is a lot to happen before the cut falls tonight.
Tiger is playing his back nine at +1 after an opening 71. Others I'm watching in this late wave, John Rahm at -2, Rickie Fowler at -1, Jordan Spieth and Justin Rose at +1, Phil Mickelson at +2 and Henrik Stenson at +3.
Also Adam Hadwin, the lone Canadian amongst the 28 countries that are represented here, opened with +2 73, so I'll watch to see if Adam can make the cut which is projected at +3.
Notables in danger or done, Dustin Johnson (76 72 +6) Bubba Watson +5, Russell Knox +5, Patrick Reed +4, Justin Thomas (69,77 +4), Sergio Garcia +3. See my scoreboard link for all your favourites.
For those who make the cut Saturday's forecast is for overcast skies, dry and cool with little wind, so ideal for scoring, then Sunday the sunshine will return but so will the wind blowing up to 25kph.
Bryan Angus
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