Louis Oosthuizen will take a two-shot lead into the third round of the 149th Open after recording the lowest halfway total in championship history at Royal St George’s.
Oosthuizen fired an eagle and four birdies as he added a 65 to his opening 64 for a total of 129, eclipsing the previous best of 130 set by Sir Nick Faldo in 1992 and matched by Brandt Snedeker in 2012.
Only a bogey on the 16th prevented Oosthuizen from matching the lowest halfway score in any major – Brooks Koepka’s 128 in the 2019 US PGA – but he will be more concerned with the Claret Jug than records after the events of this season.
For once Oosthuizen will not want to take his place in the record books with Jack Nicklaus and Ernie Els.
Toughest hole
The 15th played back into what wind there was and was the toughest hole again, playing to an average of 4.361 and giving up just 12 birdies.
Easiest hole
The par-five 14th was the easiest hole for the second day running, playing to an average of 4.555 after yielding six eagles and 82 birdies.
Weather forecast
Dry, with long sunny spells. A low risk of patchy cloud initially should give way to dry and bright conditions with long sunny spells through the afternoon. Light winds of between 8-12mph.
