SOUTHPORT – Overnight joint leader Matt Kuchar dropped two shots in his last three holes as he fell back to four-under-par at the end of his second round at the British Open on Friday.
The giant American, chasing a first major at the age of 39, had three birdies and four bogeys in a mixed bag of a day at Royal Birkdale as he shot a one-over round of 71.
Kuchar finished with a bogey at 16, a missed birdie chance at the long 17th and then another dropped shot at the last after driving into a fairway bunker.
Jordan Spieth and Brooks Koepka, Kuchar’s fellow Americans, remain in the overall lead together on five-under, but both are due to go out later this afternoon when already blustery conditions are expected to get tougher.
Playing with Kuchar, Scotland’s Richie Ramsay shot a level-par round of 70 to remain at two-under for the championship.
Rory McIlroy finished at two-under 68 for the day to sit at one-under for the championship.
Among others to conclude their rounds early on Friday were Masters champion Sergio Garcia, whose one-under-par round of 69 leaves him two-over overall and therefore in with a strong chance of making the cut.
However, his playing partner Jason Day of Australia looks to be heading home after a six-over 76 left him at +5 for the championship.
Former champions Ernie Els and Zach Johnson are both at one-over after sharply contrasting rounds – South African Els dropped back with a 73, while Johnson recovered from a poor opening round to shoot 66.