British Open 2012: Brandt Snedeker Cannot Sustain Historic Run and Win at Lytham

Brandt Snedeker has taken the lead at 10 under and become the surprise of the British Open through 36 holes.

The odds of Snedeker winning the British Open prior to its start were 150-to-1. He’s a long shot, even with the 3-to-1 odds he’s created for himself after being in control after two days of golf.

Snedeker, 31, is truly in unfamiliar territory after matching the course-best 130 after the first two days of the Open. That’s because he’s NEVER advanced past a qualifying round at Royal Lytham and St Annes.

Snedeker, an unknown amongst the others in the running, has a daunting challenge ahead of him if he is going to maintain the level of play he has demonstrated thus far. Inconsistency has proven to be one of his biggest flaws to this point in his career.

After a great performance during his first season on the PGA Tour, Snedeker was awarded as the PGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 2007. Since then, he has won practically nothing of any significance on the tour. A surprise win at the British Open would surely resurrect a disappointing career that began with very high hopes.

After a great opening shot on the par-three ninth hole on Friday, Snedeker said via an ESPN interview, “Even I couldn’t mess this up.” His demeanor doesn’t exactly exude confidence and it isn’t exactly reassuring that even he doesn't believe he can keep up his excellent play.

Unfortunately for Snedeker, history isn’t in his favor. His propensity to fail is much more likely than the re-occurrence of the impressive 130 he has posted thus far. To make matters worse, Adam Scott is sitting just two strokes behind at 9-under par, while Tiger Woods will attempt to climb closer to the leader as he currently sits at 6-under par.

Can Snedeker sustain his historic performance and shock the world with a huge British Open victory at Lytham? Although unlikely, it could still happen. That’s what makes this sport one of the greatest in the world.

Follow Mike on Twitter @BigHoagowski.