Overnight leader Bernhard Langer was keeping a level head to retain top spot as a windswept second round of The Senior Open Championship Presented by Rolex progressed at Turnberry.
Langer teed off at 14.00 on Friday having seen his one shot first round lead erased by the heroics of America’s Gary Hallberg, who had earlier equalled the course record with a sublime seven under par 63, so the pressure was on Germany’s two-time Major Champion from the outset and he didn’t disappoint, posting back-to-back birdies on the opening two holes of the Ailsa Course.
As many of the 144-man field fell back amidst the most testing conditions of the week so far with winds reaching up to 20 miles per hour on the Ayrshire Coast, Langer slipped to level par for the day following dropped shots and the par four fifth and long sixth holes before a third birdie of the afternoon at the 175-yard 11th hole helped the Anhausen man back into a slim lead over Hallberg.
Another American also rode the wind well on Friday afternoon, as 1996 Open Champion Tom Lehman signed for a one over par 71 to back up his 66 from the first round.
And despite finishing three shots shy of the then-leading total of six under par, the 53 year old could well be playing in the final group at the weekend as swathes of professionals continued to move backwards.
“I don't think you're ever happy in golf when you shoot the worst score you can possibly shoot, which was the case yesterday,” admitted Lehman. “But you're always really pleased in golf when you seem to shoot the best score you can possibly shoot and that was more the case today.
“I made a few mistakes out there but by and large, I really got the most I could get out of that round and really pleased. The wind was very difficult.”
Lehman’s fellow countryman Fred Couples was the only other to have finished under par for the day as the second round continued, firing an impressive two under par 68 to currently hold a share of 11th place at level par.
