Oosthuizen makes solid start at St Andrews

South African Louis Oosthuizen today maintained his challenge for a first major title on the second day of the Open Championship at St Andrews.

Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy carded a stunning opening 63, nine under par, to equal the lowest round ever in a major championship, but Oosthuizen was only two behind overnight following an excellent 65 compiled despite tougher conditions.

Oosthuizen was in the second group out today at 6:41am and initially looked set to benefit from similar weather to that which Thursday’s early starters had turned to their advantage.

But a heavy shower arrived after three regulation pars, although that did not stop Oosthuizen from eventually carding his first birdie of the day on the 568-yard par-five fifth, chipping to three feet after almost reaching the green in two.

Wales’ Bradley Dredge, who carded a 66 yesterday to lie joint third overnight, was also out on the course and dropped back with a bogey on the second, while Ireland’s Shane Lowry had got off to a poor start, a double bogey six at the second leaving him two under for the tournament.

The halfway cut currently looked like being around one under par, but that could change significantly depending on the weather.

McIlroy, at 21 looking to become the youngest winner of the Open since Willie Auchterlonie in 1893, was not due to start his second round until 1:31pm, but world number three Lee Westwood was due out shortly.

Westwood, who has been struggling with a calf injury, carded a 67 yesterday despite arguably having the worst of the conditions in the afternoon.

As the rain eased considerably, Oosthuizen took advantage with further birdies on the sixth and seventh to take the lead on 10 under par.

His nearest challenger out on the course was Sweden’s Peter Hanson, who had opened with a par four to remain six under, while Dredge had also got back to that mark with a birdie on the fifth.

USPGA champion YE Yang, the only man to have won a major championship when Tiger Woods has led with a round to play, was five under after four pars today, the Korean yet to drop a shot in the tournament.