The Open: virtual matchplay between Snedeker and Scott
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Adam Scott, from Australia, hits for the sand to the 10th green during the first round of the Bridgestone Invitational golf tournament Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009, at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio. AP Photo/Mark Duncan
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Playing flawless golf, Brandt Snedeker will take a one-shot lead over Australian Adam Scott into the third round tonight of the British Open at Royal Lytham and St Annes.
The 31-year-old Nashville native’s 10-under 66-64-130 equals Nick Faldo’s 66-64 record set at Muirfield in 1992 as the lowest 36-hole score in British Open history.
For omen-seekers, Faldo went on to win two decades ago with 12 under, from John Cook at 11-under, and Jose Maria Olazabal at 10-under.
Faldo’s prizemoney was $190,000.
Whoever wins this 141st Open will bank $1.357 million.
Tonight will see Snedeker and Scott paired together at the tail of the field on moving day Saturday, both capable of giving this tough par 70 layout a bit of hurry-up – weather permitting.
So far Mother Nature has been relatively kind with periods of rain, but precious little wind, that has a course history of blowing a gale.
Scott shot a course record 64 in the opening round with two bogeys, Snedeker matched that last night bogey-free. In fact the American is the only golfer in the field bogey-free for 36 holes.
Lurking is Tiger Woods and his cold putter at 6-under.
Grim-faced for 35 holes, the former world number one for a record 623 weeks blasted out of a green-side bunker at the 18th to find the bottom of the cup.
It had taken Woods 36 holes before he smiled, and then it was fist-pump time and a grin as broad as the Sydney Heads to celebrate a rare, but timely, birdie.
At 5-under – the exciting 22-year-old Dane Thorbjorn Olesen.
At 4-under – Paul Lawrie, Matt Kuchar, Graeme McDowell, Jason Dufner, and little known South African Thomas Aiken.
At 3-under – Ernie Ells.
And at 2-under – world number one Luke Donald, Steve Stricker, Kiwi Steve Alker, and James Morrison.
But it was the cut that held as much attention as the top of the leaderboard.
It bounced between 2 and 3-over all afternoon, which had the latter particularly anxious – the likes of Lee Westwood, Rickie Fowler, KJ Choi, and ageless Tom Watson who had missed a virtual tap-in putt on 17, but sensationally birdied 18.
That made the difference. 3-over will play the weekend.
Notable cut casualties – Sergio Garcia, Justin Rose, Anders Hansen, YE Yang, and Charl Schwartzel at 4-over, Stewart Cink at 5, Martin Kaymer and Ryo Ishikawa at 6, defending champion Darren Clarke at 7, Trevor Immelman at 9, Davis Love III at 10, and the biggest shocks, Phil Mickelson at 10-over, and Angel Cabrera at 11.
If the first two rounds are to be the guidelines, the third major of the year will be virtual matchplay between Snedeker and Scott, with Woods the danger if his approach shots are closer to the pin.
So far Snedeker has a clean sheet with 10 birdies, Scott 12 birdies and 3 bogies, Woods 8 birdies, and 2 bogies.
Bring it on.
The Crowd Says (6) | Page 1 of Comments
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July 21st 2012 @ 11:14am
Jock said | July 21st 2012 @ 11:14am | Report comment
Cannot resist a dig at Woods can you David. Why should he be all smiles? It is serious business! Your suggestion it is now a two horse race between Snedeker and Scott is a joke. If they are both still in contention Sunday on the back nine, let us see how they handle the pressure of being a touch away from their first major.
Adam Scott has always been a fine golfer and as good as anyone tee to green. However, his main problem has always been putting. Normally, i would be cheering him onto victory but sorry cannot abide all those who use broom handle putters and the one Scott uses is particularly ridiculous[ it must be the longest club in his bag]. Using a broom putter is not cheating because the club is currently legal. However,i am delighted to hear that the world golfing authorities are not far away from introducing a significant ruling on the use of broom handle putters. Not before time. When Scott and the other broom handle merchants get back to using the traditional putter like the majority of golfers, i will be more enthusiastic about supporting him and cheering him on to victory. Meantime, at the halfway stage of the Open, there are numerous people capable of lifting the Jug and Woods is one of them.
July 21st 2012 @ 6:07pm
Dan said | July 21st 2012 @ 6:07pm | Report comment
Agreed. Calling a tournament at this stage shows either stupidity or lack of understanding of the sport. Especially at The Open, British courses and weather never allow things to be decided this early.
I for one would hate to be put in a final group with Tiger on Sunday. Even with a few strokes over him, the pressure from walking the fairways with him would be immense.
July 21st 2012 @ 2:31pm
Lancey5times said | July 21st 2012 @ 2:31pm | Report comment
Having been a single figure golfer for almost 20 years and having used both long and short (I currently use a short putter) I don’t see what the problem is with ‘broomies’. Any putter that is operated entirely by the hands should be permitted. If they were easier everyone would be on board. They are a real bitch on slower greens/longer putts. Belly putters on the other hand I have a real problem with.
On the golf side. I’m of course cheering for the first of many for Adam Scott. I still give McDowell a chance as well along with Tige of course. Although the later needs the courage to take driver on the par 5′s. Without this there may not be enough birdies out there for him to catch the others unless the blade runs über hot
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July 21st 2012 @ 4:28pm
tonysalerno said | July 21st 2012 @ 4:28pm | Report comment
Hi David,
Great piece.
I think moving day will teach us a lot about who will win the British open. Despite both Scott and Snedker having two good days there is still 36 holes to play and a lot of surprises to be had. I think players like Luke Donald and Graeme McDowell should not be counted out nor should the great Tiger Woods. I had picked McIroy to win before the open started but i think that’s a bit of a pipe dream now.
I would like to see the Aussie Adam Scott win but i still think there is a story yet to be told in this tournament.
I look forward to your article tomorrow
July 21st 2012 @ 5:33pm
William Goat said | July 21st 2012 @ 5:33pm | Report comment
Long way to go yet mate ! As a relatively unpatriotic Aussie I hope Scott wins it, but no-one wins a marathon by being ahead at the 10km mark.
July 21st 2012 @ 9:32pm
Andrew Potter said | July 21st 2012 @ 9:32pm | Report comment
It will be interesting to see if Snedeker can hold it together. He has a nact of being in contention after 2-3 rounds then falling away, so does Scott.