150th Open, the Old Course, St Andrews
Round two leaders: -13 C Smith (64), -11 Young (69), -10 McIlroy (68), Hovland (66); -9 D Johnson (67)
Tiger Woods in emotional end to second round, will miss cut
Some selected early tee times to watch out for on day two..
With more settled conditions, less wind, and also less congestion with fewer players on the course, the early starters yesterday were about two shots better off than the groups going out later.
The course was drier and crispier later on - and in fact the difference between the very early starters and very late finishers was even greater.
It's hard to keep your focus late on into the evening even for a professional golfer at The Open, and the scoring averages prove it's better to get out early at St Andrews.
First round scoring averages:
Li +4 (1)
Peter Scrivener
´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport at St Andrews
We've already had a contender for shot of the day. Step forward Haotong Li on the first.
The Chinese hits a decent drive down the right, leaving a wedge to that pin which is a mere seven yards over the burn.
He looks anxiously after his shot, which is coming up short. Oh wow - that doesn't plonk in the water though, it cannons back off the wall, like a squash ball, and bounds back up the fairway towards him!
I don't think I've ever seen anything like that before. He's now got 75 yards left. Oh my! He's only gone and dunked his third!
Li is looking on in disbelief. Maybe he thinks he's still asleep and dreaming!
His fifth shot finally lands on the putting surface but he takes two more from there and that's an ugly triple-bogey seven to start. I'm sure we'll get video of that for you soon...
It's clear the morning starters usually have an advantage, with fresh greens, and by and large on a links course it's calmer first thing before the winds start to play a part.
That was certainly the case yesterday, and with now the rain falling to soften up St Andrews, the early wave have a real chance to go low.
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And here are those all-important pin placements today...
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Peter Scrivener
´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport at St Andrews
In an effort to help protect the Old Lady, the R&A got creative with pin positions on Thursday - the ninth looked particularly brutal, tucked over on the left side of the green and behind a pot bunker, although it did play one of the easiest holes given it was one of several driveable par-four holes.
And at first glance this morning, it seems like it will be more of the same today.
For us mere mortals, the pin on the first would usually be a bit more central on the green. Yesterday it was front left, a few paces over the burn. This morning it's front right.
English amateur Sam Bairstow likes it though. He's already up and running with a birdie to get to one under for the tournament.
The Open 2022:Watch the best shots from the opening round
As we ease our way into round two, let's refresh our memories with some of the best shots from the opening round.
Calcavecchia +11 (1)
1989 Open champion Mark Calcavecchia gets the second round underway with just a smattering of hardy spectators cheering him on.
A lot smaller crowd today as there’ll be a few tired bodies and minds after a long, long day of watching the golf yesterday, and maybe just a few refreshments last night.
Calc is taking the approach many of us take, as he's skipped the range and just headed straight for the first tee, no messing!
And it's done him no harm as he walks off with a par.
American Cameron Young leads The Open after a stunning 64, which would be a good enough round for a veteran let alone a man playing in his very first Open!
With Rory McIlroy, Cameron Smith and Scottie Scheffler lurking just behind though it's a great first round leaderboard.
Peter Scrivener
´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport at St Andrews
It is indeed a damp start. There was a steady rain following as I strolled through St Andrews down to the course this morning.
On Thursday there was a steady stream of fans marching to watch Paul Laurie hit the first tee shot of this 150th Championship.
Today, there was barely a soul and the stand to the right of the first tee as Mark Calcavecchia, the 1989 champion, teed off. And those that were, were huddled under umbrellas, or decked out in full waterproofs.
Calc did give them a cheery wave as he set off though. The American starts the day at 11 over par and starts with a par.
Playing partner Ryan Fox also gets down in four to stay at one under.
It’s a bit of a damp and dull start to the day weather-wise at St Andrews with some rain tumbling down, and that could soften up conditions and give the early starters a chance to shoot for the pins and make a score.
Of course, it’ll also make the rough a bit more slippery and nasty.
Back so soon? Good morning and welcome to day two of the 150th Open Championship at St Andrews.
It was a long old day on Thursday, but a thoroughly enjoyable one and we’re set for another bumper day of golfing action out on the famous old links.
How has debutant Cameron Young slept on that Open lead? Will Rory McIlroy be in the same form as yesterday? Can Tiger Woods somehow find a response?
We’ll find out today so keep it right here…