2024 Open Championship: Day 2
Posted on July 19, 2024
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Friday at The Open
Friday was a brilliant day of Major Golf, players being stretched to their limits both physically and mentally. The cross-winds caused chaos all day, gusting up to 30 mph in the afternoon.
Lowry started 1 back, but as predicted, led soon after starting his 2nd round with a pair of opening birdies. His score bounced around, but thanks to some solid ball-striking, he was able to sign for a solid 69.
His score did include a potential train wreck on 11 when had to take an unplayable from a gauze bush drive.
Hot on his heels are plenty of golfers with creds to be able to mount a charge - especially JRose who is sitting just 2 shots back and hardly put a foot wrong.
There are plenty of other chasers, each who would claim to be able to go toe-to-toe with the burly Irishman. Scottie, JDay & X all have major creds, while players like Burmy, Cant(p)lay & Corey are some of the best ball-strikers in the game.
39 of the last 44 Open champions have been in the top 10 headed into the weekend. That takes us down to -1 only. Anyone under par has a realistic chance.
Round of the Day
Best of the day was a 68 carded by 6 players, but JRose, carding an afternoon 68 would trump the rest. This was coupled with again solid play, only dropping 1 shot all day.
He knew what it meant as he fist pumped his closing birdie on 18.
Shot of the Day
After topping 1 shot on the 9th, Rahmbo followed it up with a HOLE-OUT birdie to get himself back in the mix!
Performance of the Day
Jaco started Friday at a canter when scoring was very difficult, until he got derailed with a snowman on the short 8th, the Postage Stamp.
He brushed off that anomaly and reeled off more birdies to get himself back into contention.
The Leaders
The Chasers
The Movers
It's Moving Day up ahead and the conditions are expected to remain tough, though not quite the same level of gusts as was Friday. Perhaps the earlier starters will get less pressure situations and a softer course to make a move.
Rickie might continue his work from Friday into the weekend, but the charging Rahmbo might be the one to watch.
Taking the weekend off
The Cutline fell at 6 over, though bounced around a fair bit, even as the day was closing with missed putts on 18 holding the line at 6 over.
Some big names taking the weekend off are The Big Cat, THe Hov, Rory, Louis, Cambo, TKim, Aberg, The Bulk, Tommy, plus a few other former Open champions - some big disappointments.
Reminder of the Stats
Bucket 1: Rory 32%, Scottie 22%, Aberg 18%, Collin 12% (1 is under par, 2 MC)
Bucket 2: Tommy 39%, The Hov 17%, Rai 15%, Im 10% (None are under par, 2 MC)
Bucket 3: Lowry 15%, Cambo 12%, Scotty 12%, Louis 12% (1 is under par, 2 MC)
Bucket 4: BK 17%, Bob Mac 15%, Max 7%, Sepp 7% (none are under par, 0 MC)
Quite messy all round, with plenty of MCs from some of the favourites.
For a full view of the scores head to Open Championship Leaderboard and majorpunter leaderboard.
majorpunter Leaderboard:
| Rank | Team | Punter | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tomoose & Friends | Kath East | -14 |
| 2 | Doyle’s Open Team | David Dampier | -11 |
| 3 | DegenParty3 | Haden Smith | -10 |
| 4 | DegenParty | Haden Smith | -9 |
| T5 | DegenParty2 | Haden Smith | -6 |
| T5 | Redhotchili1 | John Reisner | -6 |
| T5 | RLW-4 | Luke West | -6 |
| 8 | WhyNot | John Orr | -5 |
| T9 | PokeyAU2 | Preston Barnes | -4 |
| T9 | Letters to Troon | Mike Adams | -4 |
There were some good scores for the punters and plenty of scores under par on the majorpunter LEADERBOARD.
Tomoose & Friends continues to lead, with solid scoring all round. Doyle’s Open Team, DegenParty3 & DegenParty are left to keep chasing into the weekend, though only a few shots behind.
There are plenty of chasers ready to scrap it out just a few shots further back.
Moving day will not be a normal scoring day, a grind lies ahead. Its still anyone’s major, much angst remains for the leaders, so strap in. The chase is on.
majorpunter Bottomboard:
| Rank | Team | Punter | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 73 | Tel-el-kebir | Nick Jay | +19 |
| 74 | Stamp Duty | Mike Adams | +20 |
| 75 | Robdog 6 | Robbie East | +21 |
| 76 | Finnornimus | David Finnorn | +22 |
| 77 | What Postage Stamp? | Adi Erasmus | +23 |
| T78 | PokeyAU1 | Preston Barnes | +24 |
| T78 | Little General | Graeme East | +24 |
| 80 | Creamy Goodness | Justin Hodgson | +25 |
| 81 | Bradthig3 | Bradley Thigpen | +27 |
| 82 | Bradthig2 | Bradley Thigpen | +29 |
The bottomboard is also running hot with plenty over par.
Many teams have only got 1 golfer left, such was the list of MCs!
Bradthig2 sits dead last at 29 over, 2 shot back of Bradthig3, both with plenty of MCs. Creamy Goodness also struggled off the bat.
All 3 of these teams have had so much success in the past and look very good on paper, but Troon ain’t won there!
36 holes to go, Royal Troon will be an exciting place over the weekend for what remains, definitely more doubles than eagles but exciting nonetheless.
For more news and information head over to majorpunter.