Brian Harman leads by an impressive five-shot margin at Royal Liverpool in the 151st Open Championship, as Jon Rahm sets a record score. After the second round, Harman stands at -12, followed by fellow American Cameron Young at -7, and Rahm from Spain at -6. Victor Hovland (Norway), Antoine Rozner (France), Jason Day (Australia), Tommy Fleetwood (England), and Sepp Straka (Austria) are all tied at -5. Notably, Harman responded remarkably to Rahm’s course-record 63, holding his position as the leader with a solid 69.
Rahm’s brilliant eight-under round at six under created some pressure, but Harman remained composed and increased his score to 12 under. Fleetwood’s challenge faltered with a level-par 71, leaving him trailing Harman.
Harman, who previously held the 54-hole lead at the 2017 US Open but finished joint second, had a shaky start with bogeys on the first and fourth holes. However, he recovered and played steady golf, making crucial birdies on the fifth, ninth, twelfth, and thirteenth holes. Notably, he has been flawless from inside 10 feet with his putting throughout the tournament.
The final round will see Harman paired with Cameron Young, who had an impressive seven-under-par final round in the previous year’s Open, finishing as the runner-up.
Rahm’s extraordinary performance during the third round saw him make a significant climb up the leaderboard. Starting at two over par, 12 shots behind Harman, he made a brilliant birdie on the fifth hole and continued with a remarkable run of four consecutive birdies from the ninth. His exceptional 33-foot birdie on the 16th was a highlight, helping him finish at three under for the tournament.
On the other hand, Rory McIlroy struggled to capitalize on birdie chances and finished with a two-under-par 69, bringing his total score to three under. Fleetwood, who had a brief moment within three shots of Harman, ultimately couldn’t maintain the momentum and finished seven shots behind.
Alex Fitzpatrick from England had an impressive round with three birdies, reaching four under for the tournament. His younger brother and 2022 US Open champion, Matt Fitzpatrick, posted a solid 67, two shots behind him. Additionally, Matthew Jordan’s remarkable journey at his home Open continued, as he birdied four of his final five holes to reach three under.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Open Championship
Q: What is the current leaderboard at The Open Championship in Royal Liverpool?
A: As of now, Brian Harman is leading the tournament with an impressive score of -12, followed by Cameron Young at -7 and Jon Rahm at -6. The full second-round leaderboard is available in the provided text.
Q: How did Brian Harman respond to Jon Rahm’s record-setting round?
A: Brian Harman responded superbly to Jon Rahm’s course-record 63 by maintaining his lead in the championship with a solid round of 69. He now holds a five-shot lead going into the final round.
Q: How did Jon Rahm perform during the third round of The Open?
A: Jon Rahm put on an outstanding performance during the third round, shooting an eight-under round to reach a total score of six under for the tournament. His sensational round included a series of impressive birdies.
Q: Is Brian Harman experienced in leading major championships?
A: Yes, Brian Harman has previously held the 54-hole lead in a major championship at the 2017 US Open, where he led by one but finished joint second. He now has another opportunity to secure a major victory at The Open.
Q: How did Rory McIlroy fare in the tournament?
A: Rory McIlroy had a mixed round, birdying three of his first five holes, but missed several birdie chances throughout. He finished with a two-under-par 69, bringing his total score to three under.
Q: What can we expect in the final round of The Open Championship?
A: The final round promises an exciting battle between the current leader, Brian Harman, and his closest challengers, Cameron Young and Jon Rahm. The tournament is still open, and any player could make a move for the title on Sunday.
More about Open Championship
- The Open Championship Official Website: The Open Championship
- Royal Liverpool Golf Club: Royal Liverpool
- Brian Harman PGA Tour Profile: Brian Harman Profile
- Jon Rahm PGA Tour Profile: Jon Rahm Profile
- Official Leaderboard: Second-Round Leaderboard
