British Open Round 2: A big ol’ mess and a jam-packed leaderboard
Round 2 of the British Open isn’t over yet.
Rain delayed action Friday morning, meaning those with later tee times weren’t able to finish all 18 holes. That group includes Dustin Johnson, who sits atop the leaderboard at 10-under through 13 holes.
That’s one stroke better than Danny Willett, the clubhouse leader, who’s in at 9-under.
In all, 18 players – finished or still with holes to play in Round 2 – are within five strokes of the lead heading into play on Saturday (Friday night if you’re on the West Coast).
The delay means:
• Round 2 will continue at 7 a.m. local time, 2 a.m. ET.
• The tournament is facing a potential massive pile up, as heavy rain is expected Saturday morning.
• And Tiger Woods must stick around one more day to not make the cut, which is projected to be even par. Woods, through 11, is 5-over.
As darkness fell and most play was suspended, one final group strolled up 18, that of Tom Watson, who is playing in his final Open Championship. At 9:46 p.m. local time, the five-time champion stepped atop Swilcan Bridge for a photo, raising his cap to a cheering crowd lined up on both sides of the 18 fairway. It was a fitting ending for Watson, the sun literally setting at the exact moment he made his way onto the 18th green.
The cut wasn’t in reach for the 65-year-old Watson, who came within a single putt of winning this thing six years ago, but it didn’t matter. He’ll always be remembered as a champion by a British crowd that loves him as if he were their own.
