RD2: Shubhankar Makes Cut, Tiger (US) Misses; Lowry (IRE) Leads at 152nd Open

Posted by Admin 20 Jul 2024

Written by : Divyanshu Sahu

Shubhankar Sharma faced a challenging round at The 152nd Open, battling both the course and the weather. The day started overcast with a slight chance of drizzle, turning brighter and breezier as time passed. Winds increased from light southerly breezes to gusts of up to 28mph, making it a tough day for all players.

stand filled round 2 The 152nd Open

The day started overcast with a slight chance of drizzle,stands are filled to its capacity at Royal Troon (via PGA Tour)

Sharma's Struggles and Triumphs

Sharma's round was a mix of highs and lows. He birdied on the 12th hole but bogeyed the 14th. His determination shone through with a birdie from 20 feet on the 15th and another on the Par-5 16th. A dropped shot on the 17th left him at 6-over, tied for 72nd. He reached the final hole's green in regulation but missed a birdie putt, settling for par. Despite the setbacks, Sharma’s resilience and skill were evident as he fought to stay in contention.

Lowry's Quest for a Second Title

Shane Lowry at The 152nd Open

Shane Lowry expresses making to the top at Round 2 (via PGA Tour)

Shane Lowry is on a mission to join the exclusive club of multiple Champion Golfers. After taking a two-shot lead at Royal Troon, he is halfway there. The 2019 Champion shot an excellent 69 on a day with gusting winds, reaching seven-under-par for the week. Lowry's performance was a testament to his experience and ability to handle tough conditions.

Lowry is two shots ahead of Englishmen Daniel Brown and Justin Rose, who sit at five-under-par. Brown, the overnight leader, showed great courage to shoot a one-over-par 72 in his Open debut, despite the pressure of leading such a prestigious tournament.

Brown and Rose Chasing Hard

Daniel Brown at The 152nd Open

Daniel Brown parred the 18th to finish with a gutsy 72 (via PGA Tour)

Two weeks ago, Daniel Brown entered Final Qualifying for The Open. Now, he finds himself playing in the final group at Royal Troon. The Englishman, making his major debut, played sensible golf on Thursday to shoot 65. Friday was more challenging, but he managed to keep his composure. He dropped two shots on the front nine but bounced back impressively on the back nine with birdies on the 10th and 16th. Despite bogeying the 17th, he parred the 18th to finish with a gutsy 72. Brown's performance shows his potential and ability to handle pressure.

Justin Rose also had a fantastic round, shooting a 68. He birdied the 4th, 7th, 16th, and 18th, joining Billy Horschel in the penultimate group. Rose qualified via Final Qualifying and attributes his preparation to this experience. His strong performance is a reminder of his skill and experience in major tournaments.

Scheffler Leads the Chasing Pack

Scottie with his caddie

Ted Scott, Scheffler’s man on the bag, struggled through illness (via PGA Tour)

The front three will be wary of a significant move from Scottie Scheffler. The Masters winner compiled a second score of 70 despite cavernous bunkers, caddie sickness, and tough conditions. Ted Scott, Scheffler’s man on the bag, struggled through illness, but Scheffler made more putts than the previous day, showing his adaptability and determination.

Scheffler is joined by Horschel and Dean Burmester, while Corey Conners, Jason Day, Xander Schauffele, and Patrick Cantlay are just a shot behind. The competition is fierce, and any of these players could make a significant move over the weekend.

The Cut and Sharma's Hope

Sharma's chances of making the cut depended on it dropping to 6-over. With only those scoring within this range advancing, Sharma remained hopeful as he awaited final results. In the end, the cut was a living, moving target in the afternoon. It eventually fell at six-over, allowing 80 players, including Sharma, to advance to the weekend. This development kept Sharma's hopes alive and gave him another opportunity to prove his mettle on the grand stage.

Conclusion

Shubhankar Sharma's journey at The 152nd Open highlights the challenges and triumphs of professional golf. His determination to stay in contention, despite the ups and downs, is a testament to his skill and resilience. As the competition intensifies over the weekend, all eyes will be on the players striving to make their mark on this prestigious tournament. Sharma's performance so far has been commendable, and his continued effort will be closely watched by fans and critics alike.

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