The Open Championship Results 2013: How Biggest Names Are Faring on Day 2

The biggest names in golf have descended on Muirfield for Day 2 of the 2013 Open Championship.

As play continues in Scotland, a number of favourites continue to suffer a mix of fortunes across the testing course. With Day 1 leader Zach Johnson yet to begin a second day of thwacking, early tee-offs allow the chasing pack to ramp up pressure on the watching American.

Who is currently enjoying a run of form? Let’s take a look.

Tiger Woods

Many onlookers expect Tiger Woods to triumph at the British Open. The 37-year-old has personal demons to avenge from his Muirfield meltdown in 2002, and right now, he is performing confidently. Woods ended Day 1 with three pars and a birdie, taking him to two-under for Round 1.

Day 2 has produced more of the same. Woods made par on the first two holes before sinking a birdie on No. 3. A bogey followed, but since the fourth, Woods has hit par nine times from 12 holes. This run included one birdie and two bogeys, keeping the famous American in the hunt for his first major win since 2008.

Graeme McDowell

A double bogey on No. 9 and No. 15 saw Graeme McDowell struggle through Round 1. The Northern Irishman finished four-over but started excellently to rekindle his chances through Round 2. Seven pars and two birdies pushed the 2010 U.S Open champion up the leaderboard, but a sudden loss of form returns him to a disappointing position.

Bogeys on holes 10, 11 and 14 slowed McDowell’s progress going into the 17th. He needs a confident finish if he is to be considered a challenger for the title and will be hoping to recreate his form from earlier in the day. Right now, British fans won’t see McDowell take the prize.

Matt Kuchar

Outside challenger Matt Kuchar had a disastrous first day at the British Open. Not quite Rory McIlroy disastrous but disastrous nonetheless. The experienced American served up three bogeys and a double bogey between No. 3 and No. 7 on Day 1; limp form he has been quick to eradicate on Day 2.

Kuchar is gaining momentum.

Putting the events of Thursday behind him, he confidently produced eight pars and one birdie across the front nine. Although three bogeys and six pars followed on the back nine, he will be extremely pleased with his improvement. Kuchar is showing consistency at the right time but remains five-over, ensuring he won’t challenge for the 2013 crown.

Adam Scott

Adam Scott has a major point to prove after throwing away his pretty-much-guaranteed 2012 British Open win. The Australian bogeyed each of the last four holes at Royal Lytham & St. Annes to hand Ernie Els the title in one of golf’s most hideous collapses.

While the 33-year-old should be pleased with his even-par 71 in Round 1, two bogeys on the second day continue to produce ominous signs. Even so, Scott showed immense steel to par 15 Round 2 holes, keeping him chasing the overall leaders on one-over.

His competitive showing is going to define itself across the next two days. Scott is entering dangerous territory once more, as a handful of poorly played shots will see his quest end for another year.