British Open - End of Second Round

Technically, there are still two people playing in the second round, but none of them have a chance to finish in the top 10, so I'm declaring an end now. Things have not gone well for Stephen Tiley this morning, as he is now seven over for his round and even par for the tournament. Here's what he's done this morning: double-bogey, bogey, par, bogey, bogey, bogey, bogey. So we won't be hearing from him again. On the other hand, the winner of this year's British Amateur, Jin Jeong of South Korea, finished off a remarkable 70 in the wind that leaves him at six under par for the tournament and also clinches him the silver medal for low amateur -- as he's the only amateur to make the cut. (On this blog we follow the old cricket tradition as designating amateurs as "Mr.")

At this point three of the stories we were following on this blog are basically in the books. Rory McIlroy showed himself to be a tremendous talent, but he does not yet have the big-time nerves that Tiger showed at the same age. Tiger himself appears to be suffering from the same type of chronic putting problems that started to afflict Tom Watson in his mid-30s, and that are absolutely deadly to anyone trying to win a major tournament. And Ernie Els's main contribution to this tournament is Louis Oosthuizen, who received financial support from a fund Els established to help South African golfers.

This just leaves the story of the Old Course itself. Can it find a worthy champion out of those who remain in contention?

1. L. Oosthuizen (RSA): -12 (65+67=132)

2. M. Calcavecchia (USA): -7 (70+67=137)

T3. P. Casey (ENG): -6 (69+69=138)

T3. L. Westwood (ENG): -6 (67+71=138)

T3. Mr. J. Jeong (KOR) (a): -6 (68+70=138)

T3. A. Canizares (ESP): -6 (67+71=138)

T7. T. Lehman (USA): -5 (71+68=139)

T7. R. Barnes (USA): -5 (68+71=139)

T7. P. Hanson (SWE): -5 (66+73=139)

T7. M.A. Jimenez (ESP): -5 (72+67=139)

T7. G. McDowell (NIR): -5 (71+68=139)

T7. R. Goosen (RSA): -5 (69+70=139)

T7. S. O'Hair (USA): -5 (67=72=139)

Tiger is four under. Daly is two under. McIlroy is one under. Mickelson is at even par. Els missed the cut.

On the nationalist watch, only four of the 13 golfers listed above are American, and the two low Americans both play on the Senior Tour. The Brits have only three golfers on the list, but their men are better golfers and are generally better positioned.