Written by: Manvi Singh

 

With the lowest score over the first 36 holes in the Open history, Louis Oosthuizen set a glorious record-breaking chronicle for finishing at 11 under par 70.

 

 

Louis Oosthuizen playing off to a glorious Day 2. (Source: theopen.com)

 

 

The one-stroke lead established by Oosthuizen on Thursday soon evaporated into thin air as he walked out to the opening tee-box on Friday with Collin Morikawa on a spectacular lead at 9 under par 64. 

 

"To have any record at The Open is always very special and I think I have played really good the last two days," Oosthuizen states as he was unaware of the existence of the record until he finished the day. 

 

Rising seven up on the leaderboard, Morikawa had brought a new spectrum of possibilities to the Royal St George’s Golf Club on Friday. The world number four rarely cropped up in the pre-Championship conversations yet he managed to gift the spectators a fabulous round with seven birdies and a bogey. 

 

Collin Morikawa at his best. (Source: theopen.com)

 

 

This was challenged by Oosthuizen with two birdies at 12 and the tricky 13, along with a par-5 eagle at the 14 that grabbed the immediate attention of the spectators quickly building a three-shot lead from Morikawa and Spieth. 

 

Jordan Spieth started the day at under par 5 and picked up shots at the very 1st, 2nd and 4th holes that closed his day at 8 under par 67 making him be one of the top-3 on the leaderboard which makes it to be an interesting closing for Day 2. 

 

 

Jon Rahm for his spectacular performance at the Open. (Source: theopen.com)

 

 

While the top-3 may feel content on the top, for now, the contenders are at their best too - with Dustin Johnson leading the charge at -7 alongside Dylan Frittelli and Scottie Scheffler. The US Open Champion, Jon Rahm impressively sits with a 5 under par 64, while defending Champion Shane Lowry can’t be discounted after reaching -4 at the halfway stage. 

 

Both started their day nervously looking at the cut – which fell at +1 – but comfortably cemented their place for the weekend.  

 

The notable players who missed the cut include Patrick Reed (+3) and Champion Golfers Stewart Cink (+3), Ernie Els (+4), Darren Clarke (+6) and Phil Mickelson (+12). 

 

 

 Leaderboard after the end of Day 2 at the 149th Open.