Royal Birkdale, Lancashire,
17th July 1998 - The second round got underway today at 7.15 am in heavy
rain and a stiff breeze. A very different scene from yesterday of summer sunshine.
The change in conditions made it hard for the early starters with a lot of dropped
shots through the opening holes. It is certainly a different kind of golf today
and although the forecast is for the rain to move away by lunchtime the wind will
get stronger, gusting at times up to 25mph.
Defending champion, Justin Leonard, among others,
was having his work cut out to survive the cut, which was expected to fall at
four or five over par at the end of the day.
The
field will be reduced to the top 60 and ties and anyone within 10 shots of the
lead.
The 26-year-old Texan
shot a disappointing three-over-par first round of 73 in the best of the weather
yesterday. He dropped another shot on the first hole of the second round
and was 6-over after 13 holes.
Nick
Faldo was at four over after seven holes and is now in danger of missing his first-ever
cut in 23 Open appearances.
Joint
overnight leaders Tiger Woods and John Huston, who shot 65s on Thursday, were
both playing on Friday afternoon with 1997 Masters champion Woods likely to catch
the worst of the weather if the forecast is correct.
