The 150th Open: Cameron Smith Shoots 64, Leads at Halftime

0
Cameron Smith Leads The 2022 OPEN Championship
Cameron Smith on the 17th hole during Day 2 of The 150th Open at St Andrews Old Course on July 15, 2022 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Stuart Franklin for the R&A via Getty Images)

Cameron Smith chased a day-one 67 with a bogey-free 64 on Friday and will enter the weekend in St Andrews, Scotland with a two-shot lead at the 150th Open Championship.

The 28-year-old Aussie got off to a terrific start with three straight birdies out of the gate; then added three more gains in a four-hole span around the turn (Nos. 7, 8 and 10) to take the lead at the time on 11 under. Smith padded his lead with a lengthy eagle putt on the par-5 14th hole to finish on 13-under 131.

“It’s obviously a really good spot to be in,” said Smith, who played in the final pairing of the 2022 Masters. “I feel like I’ve been in this spot a lot over the past couple of years, and things just haven’t quite gone my way yet.”

Overnight leader, Cameron Young signed for a 69 and was alone in second on 11-under par.

Cameron Young The 2022 OPEN Championship
Cameron Young hits on the 2nd hole during Day 2 of The 150th Open at St Andrews Old Course on July 15, 2022 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Andy Buchanan for AFP via Getty Images)

“I didn’t putt as well today,” said Young. “I think for the most part I managed it pretty well. I made a couple of greedy mistakes on 2 and on 15 were my only bogeys.

“Those I think were both very avoidable. I didn’t quite pick the right shots. One of them I just chunked, and one of them I picked the wrong shot, which I think I could have avoided.”

“But mostly pretty good. I can’t complain.”

Young will be paired with Smith in Saturday’s final game.

One further back was the high-octane duo of Rory McIlroy (68) and Viktor Hovland (66), who were tied for third on 10-under par. The 2021 Ryder cup teammates will be grouped together in Saturday’s second to last game.

Dustin Johnson The 2022 OPEN Championship
Dustin Johnson tees off on the 16th hole during Day 2 of The 150th Open at St Andrews Old Course on July 15, 2022 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Harry How via Getty Images)

Dustin Johnson rounded out the top-5 leaders on the big yellow boards at the Old Course. He was 9-under par following a 5-under 67, highlighted by three birdies on his final five holes.

“I thought I played really nicely, just drove it well, hit a lot of quality iron shots, gave myself a lot of looks at birdie,” said Johnson.

“And just really solid day. Never really got out of position. Other than missed a few short ones for birdie, but other than that, felt like I putted well and rolled it good.”

Johnson will be grouped with world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler (68) who sits T6 alongside Englishman Tyrrell Hatton (66).


The 2022 Open Championship

Cameron Smith Leads The 2022 OPEN Championship
Cameron Smith on the 18th tee during Day 2 of The 150th Open at St Andrews Old Course on July 15, 2022 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Stuart Franklin for the R&A via Getty Images)

Top-10 Leaders: Round 2

Pos-Player-To Par (Rd 2)
1. Cameron Smith -13 (-8)
2. Cameron Young -11 (-3)
3. Viktor Hovland -10 (-6)
3. Rory McIlroy -10 (-4)
5. Dustin Johnson -9 (-5)
6. Tyrrell Hatton -8 (-6)
6. Scottie Scheffler -8 (-4)
8. Adam Scott -7 (-7)
8. Patrick Cantlay -7 (-5)
8. Talor Gooch -7 (-3)


Saturday’s Final Games

All Times – EST
10:15a: Patrick Cantlay, Adam Scott
10:25a: Talor Gooch, Tyrrell Hatton
10:35a: Scottie Scheffler, Dustin Johnson
10:45a: Viktor Hovland, Rory McIlroy
10:55a: Cameron Young, Cameron Smith


Latest Odds To Win

1. Cameron Smith (+185)
2. Rory McIlroy (+400)
3. Cameron Young (+800)
4. Viktor Hovland (+900
5. Dustin Johnson (+1000)
5. Scottie Scheffler (+1000)

Advertisement

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your name here