/ 17 July 2010

Oosthuizen waits to see extent of lead

Saturday’s action at the 150th anniversary British Open stands fascinatingly poised with South African Louis Oosthuizen hoping for the biggest halfway lead for 28 years. Fierce winds at the Old Course on Friday saw the 27-year-old garner a five-shot clubhouse lead but with 10 groups still to complete their second rounds and better weather forecast for the weekend the size of his advantage is anybody’s guess.

Not since American Bobby Clampett surged clear at the 1982 Open has anyone enjoyed such a big margin after 36 holes and Oosthuizen, who missed the cut in all three previous Opens he contested, is now the favourite.

England’s Steve Tiley is on six under and has eight holes to go while South Korean amateur Jin Jeong and Spaniard Alejandro Canizares are on five under and still to complete 36 holes.

A fearsome pack lies in wait for Oosthuizen, including Englishmen Paul Casey and Lee Westwood who were six under at halfway on 138, while Tiger Woods grabbed a birdie at the 18th in fading light on Friday to finish four under.

The projected cut is two over, which would confirm former champions Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington, Tom Watson, Ben Curtis, Todd Hamilton, Justin Leonard, Paul Lawrie, David Duval, Nick Faldo and Sandy Lyle missing out on the weekend action. – Reuters