The Open Championship: American Brian Harman in league of his own with 5-shot lead at Hoylake
- Harman fires a six-under-par 65 to move to 10 under for the tournament and well clear of England’s Tommy Fleetwood
- The American finished in a tie for sixth at St Andrews last year, but has not won on the PGA Tour since 2017
American Brian Harman seized control of The Open Championship with a sublime second round then watched the chasing pack huff and puff to little effect in breezy conditions at Royal Liverpool on Friday.
Early starter Harman landed a barrage of birdies on his front nine and then eagled the 18th to post a six-under-par 65 that left him five shots clear on 10 under.
England’s Tommy Fleetwood, one of three overnight leaders after first round 66s, had raucous support but struggled to make inroads, signing for a 71 to sit on five under.
Austria’s Sepp Straka emerged as a weekend contender for the Claret Jug with six birdies in a sizzling back nine for a second-round 67 to move four under.
Australian Min Woo Lee (68), compatriot Jason Day (67) and India’s Shubhankar Sharma (71) were in a group on three under.
Several other players threatened an afternoon charge but the links course alongside the Dee Estuary was in miserly mood.
