Englishmen in contention at Royal Portrush

PORTRUSH, Northern Ireland – The Open Championship doesn’t discriminate against the aged and experienced. Links courses require a veteran’s guile and they don’t demand that players carry the ball incredible distances.

In recent years, we’ve seen Darren Clarke, Phil Mickelson and Henrik Stenson win Opens in their 40s. Tom Watson was nearly 60 when he almost won one a decade ago.

Lee Westwood would like to be the next 40-something to win the claret jug, and follow Clarke and Stenson by making it his first major. Westwood has had plenty of close calls at majors. Now, at age 46 and with his girlfriend on the bag, he’s trying to make one more run at The Open.

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Westwood shot 7-under 135 over the first two rounds at Royal Portrush. He closed his second round with a back-nine 31.

“I haven't got any expectations,” Westwood said. “I'm just swinging quite well at the moment.”

Westwood was once ranked No. 1 in the world. He’s currently 78th. He’s played just 11 times this year.

This is just the second time The Open has been played outside England or Scotland. He’s leading a strong British contingent at Royal Portrush, though.

Tommy Fleetwood also shot 68-67 in the first two rounds. Justin Rose is just one shot behind them.

“I'm happy that I had a chance to scrap today and actually did really well,” said Fleetwood, who’s 44th in the FedExCup. His two top-10s in majors both came at the U.S. Open (2nd, 2018; 4th, 2017). His best finish in The Open is T12 (2018). To top it off, Fleetwood and Westwood will be paired together in the penultimate group for Saturday's third round.

Rose, the reigning FedExCup champion, is in contention at a second consecutive major despite not having his best ball-striking.

“Pebble I battled through the week, much like I'm doing at the moment,” said Rose, who finished T3 at the U.S. Open. “But I feel like I'm a bit clearer in my thought process. Pebble was different swing every day, trying to find it. Whereas this week I've settled into it, a thought process, game plan. I feel like I'm good with the momentum this week.”

Rose finished runner-up in last year’s Open, his best finish in 17 starts. He had to hole a 15-foot putt on the 36th hole to make the cut, then shot 64-69 on the weekend. He’ll have a much later tee time this Saturday.

“It was important for me to have that weekend last year because it made me believe I could win this tournament again,” Rose said.