Kisner Tied for Lead at British Open at Halfway Point

Friday looked to have an ominous start, as rain finally fell in the small hours, then continued into the early afternoon. But the wind laid down and all that resulted was a slightly softer golf course. The pin placements were slightly more generous than Thursday, though the course still proved a difficult examination for the world’s best golfers at this 147th Open Championship.

Exhibit A: UGA’s Russell Henley, the 48th ranked golfer in the world never carded a birdie on Day 2. He did, however, card 7 bogeys and a double-bogey. He fell 101 spots to T109, and will miss the cut.

Another victim was Bubba Watson, who followed his opening 75 with a 73 and will also not play the weekend.

Brian Harman shot 76, and he missed the cut by 2 strokes. Harman bogeyed 7 of his last 12 holes, and only two birdies kept him close to the cut line.

But Kevin Kisner kontinued his klever play, recording a very nice 1 under par 70. He actually stretched his lead to 2 strokes at 8 under par early on his second nine, then a late double-bogey on #18 brought him back to the clubhouse lead at 6 under par cumulative. He’s tied with Zach Johnson who finished early and shot 67.

So Kisner is the only ‘Dawg to make the cut, but being in the lead after 36 holes makes up for a lot. Kisner isn’t the most well known golfer, but he does have 2 PGA Tour titles and threatened at last year’s PGA Championship. Those in the know fully realize Kisner is a very real contender no matter the course, the tournament, or the pressure. The Kiz tees off with Johnson tomorrow late morning ET.

Other golfers of note:

Kevin Kisner and Zach Johnson - 136 (total strokes)
Tommy Fleetwood - 137
Rory McIlroy - 138
Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler - 139
Brooks Koepka - 141
Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Jason Day - 142
Justin Rose and Patrick Reed - 145 (which is the expected cut line).

Justin Thomas and Sergio Garcia - 146
Dustin Johnson - 148

Coverage begins on Golf Channel Saturday morning at 4:30 ET until they run a counter hand-off to NBC at 7:00 am running until about 2:30 in the afternoon.

And as always...

GO ‘DAWGS!!!