ST. ANDREWS, Scotland – Whatever Cameron Young can do, Cameron Smith is trying to do better.
It was the 24-year-old American Young who was “low Cameron” and tournament leader after 18 holes at the 150th British Open with a bogey-free 64 at The Old Course, but the Australian Cameron had the hot hand Friday, carding a splendid 64 of his own to open a two-stroke lead over his fellow Cam.
Smith improved to a total of 13-under 131, the lowest 36-hole score in an Open Championship. He raced out of the gate with three straight birdies and six in his first 10 holes to climb the leaderboard after Thursday’s opening-round 67.
“Got off to a really hot start,” he said. “And it’s very easy to just keep going, getting on the front foot and maybe trying to hit some shots that are a little bit too aggressive. But just stayed patient and holed some really nice putts.”
None more so than his highlight-reel putt of the day, a 64-foot right-to-left bending eagle putt at the par-5 14th to surge three strokes ahead at the time. Smith described his putting technique as trying to see the ball just drip in the front door of the cup.
“That’s always been the last thought of mine, is take a long, hard look at the hole and really feel the putt,” said Smith, who doesn’t bother to take a practice stroke. “I just get up there and really feel it.”
Smith wore the expression of a man who knew there never was a doubt.
“Once it started breaking pretty good, about 10, 15 foot out, I thought it would have a chance,” he said. “And not really one that you’re trying to hole, you’re just trying to get a nice easy birdie, but nice of it to pop in the side there.”
It’s not just that Cam Smith makes putts, it blows my mind how he looks like he knew they were going in. As if to say, “Of course it went in, I meant for it to go in.” @golfweek @TheOpen https://t.co/Den8fm6aYu
— Jason Lusk (@GolfweekJLu) July 15, 2022
Young, who played his college golf at Wake Forest, conceded that he didn’t putt quite as well as the first round, but he carded five birdies en route to shooting 69. A rookie on the PGA Tour, Young is still seeking his first Tour title but he has been knocking on the door, and got experience being in the hunt at the PGA Championship on Sunday before ultimately finishing T-3.
“Rather be in second than tenth,” he said of being in contention yet again. “You’re going to have to play some good golf over the weekend regardless.”
Chasing the two Cameron’s is some serious firepower. Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy (68), who is winless at the majors since 2014, and Norwegian Viktor Hovland (TK), who is seeking his first major, are tied for third at 10-under 134. Dustin Johnson, a two-time major winner is low-man among the LIV Golf players in the field, is a shot further back after 67.
“It’s a major. I want to come in here and play well and compete,” he said. “I feel like I put myself in a good position going into the weekend. Probably be a few back by the end of the day, I would imagine. Still in a good spot going into the weekend.”
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler, who already won the Masters this season, posted a pair of 68s to tie for sixth with Englishman Tyrrell Hatton (66).
Australian Adam Scott recovered from a 4-over start in his first round and signed for 7-under 65 on Friday. He’s tied with the reigning PGA Tour Player of the Year and FedEx Cup champion Patrick Cantlay at 7-under 137.
“That’s what I needed,” Scott said. “I think getting back to even was huge yesterday. After six holes things weren’t feeling particularly good.”
The cut came at even-par 144, and among the casualties was defending champion Collin Morikawa and 15-time major champion Tiger Woods, who bowed out at 9-over 153.
Smith predicts that this weekend The Old Course will be even more of a challenge as it could get really firm and fast.
“This course bakes out so quickly,” said Smith. “I’ve always been a pretty good player in tough conditions. I think most Aussies are, for some reason. I think we’re all brought up to be smart golfers, hit away from the pin sometimes. And that really serves us well, I think, in big tournaments and when the conditions get tough.”
