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Portrush, Northern Ireland: Australian veteran Marc Leishman said he will enjoy a pint or two of Guinness after carding a three-under round of 68 to put him in a strong position ahead of the weekend at The Open Championship at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.
The Victorian was in the first group on Friday morning, which was both good and bad.
A 4am alarm clock was far from ideal, but it did mean he got the best of the conditions on a dry second morning at the coastal course.
Marc Leishman in action at Portrush.Credit: AP
“Everything felt pretty good. Putted well. Probably left a couple out there. Had a three-putt on 5, but that was a really tough pin. Drove it well, didn’t hit any fairway bunkers today, which was good. That’s what killed me yesterday,” Leishman told reporters after walking off the 18th, where pushed a birdie putt just wide after a beautiful eight iron approach.
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“No, happy with how everything was feeling. Obviously that little mishap on 13 there. It’s a bit scary when that happens. Two-hole stretch that didn’t sort of do a whole lot wrong apart from that tee shot on 13. Happy with the day.”
After birdying five of the opening 12 holes, Leishman made back-to-back bogies before steadying the ship to finish at one-under for the first two rounds.
With more heavy rain forecast to hit in the afternoon, Leishman is now able to relax and watch the potential carnage that will unfold from the comfort of the clubhouse.
Or perhaps the pub.
“Yeah, obviously I would have liked to go a little bit lower, but we always do as golfers. Happy to be watching it on TV. I’ll probably have a pint or two of Guinness and enjoy my afternoon,” he said.
The news wasn’t as positive for fellow Australian Adam Scott.
Adam Scott during the opening round.Credit: Getty Images
The 2013 Masters champion came into the second round in decent striking form but had a disastrous day, carding an eight-over round of 79 to crash out of the tournament.
Scott made double bogeys on holes three, 11 and 16 and bogeys on nine, 10 and 18 on a day on which almost everything went wrong.
Cameron Smith and Lucas Herbert, who are both still capable of making the cut, have teed off and will be hoping to play as many holes as possible before the rain hits.
Sam McClure travelled to the British Open with the assistance of Golf Australia.
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