The 138th Open, Turnberry
Date: 16-19 July
Coverage: Live TV coverage on BBC Two, Online and the Red Button, live on Radio 5 Live and text commentary online on all four days
By Mark Orlovac
BBC Sport at Turnberry
**Veteran Tom Watson produced a stunning fightback to claim a share of the halfway lead on a difficult day for scoring at the 138th Open at Turnberry.**The five-time Open winner struggled early on but two birdies in his closing three holes put him on five under.
Together with unheralded American Steve Marino they are one ahead of Mark Calcavecchia, while England’s Ross Fisher is in the group on three under.
World number one Tiger Woods shot a 74 to miss his first Open cut.
The 33-year-old joins the likes of 2003 Open winner Ben Curtis and Colin Montgomerie in bowing out of the tournament before the weekend.
It is only the sixth time that Woods has failed to make the halfway mark in his professional career and only the second time in a major.
After a sunny and benign opening day, the players had to contend with windy and wet weather on day two - with only a few managing to shoot under par.
“I’m still emotional after that… it’s as if the spirits are on my side”
Open co-leader Tom Watson
Watson went into the second round just one shot behind overnight leader Miguel Angel Jimenez but a horrid front nine seemed to end the prospect of a fairytale Open challenge.
After a birdie at the first, the 59-year-old then went on a run of five bogeys in six holes as the conditions wreaked havoc.
But Watson, who won the second of his five Open titles in the famous ‘Duel in the Sun’ championship at Turnberry in 1977, stopped the rot with birdies at nine and 11.
The best was yet to come, however, as superb 60ft putts at the 16th and the 18th gave him a share of the lead.
ROB HODGETTS’ BLOG
“American Steve Marino blew out of the water all of Thursday’s theories about experience being the key to links golf”
“I’m still emotional after that,” admitted Watson, who won the last of his eight majors in 1983. "It’s as if the spirits are on my side and I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think I’d win it.
"The front nine is the toughest part of the golf course but I told myself that if I played smart coming home I would make some birdies.
“On the front nine the only thing I was trying to do was play one shot at a time and trying to get the birdie that would stem the tide. I did that at nine.”
Marino, playing in his maiden Open, was a late call-up to the championship field and only played his first round of links golf this week.
But he defied the inclement conditions to post a stunning 68, the second lowest score of the day, which included four birdies and an eagle.
606: DEBATE
“Would a near-60-year-old winning at Open be a sad indictment of the state of golf today”
** Digbert**
The 29-year-old produced some of the shots of the round as well, chipping in with a sand wedge from 116 yards at the third and holing from the bunker at the par-three sixth.
“I’ve really enjoyed myself here, I’m having a blast,” said Marino. "I love the challenge that this course presents. You have to stay patient and stay positive.
“I’m looking forward to playing golf here the next few days.”
Calcavecchia, 49, who won the Open at Troon in 1989, carded four birdies in his 69 and admitted he was happy just to make the cut.
“I’m usually choking so bad coming down the last few holes on Friday because I want to play the weekend,” said the American.
Fisher, who finished fifth at this year’s US Open, leads the British challenge thanks to a 68 that included a run of three birdies in the closing four holes.
But the 28-year-old reiterated his intention to quit the tournament if his expectant wife Jo started to go into labour.
“I’d love to be here for all four days but obviously my wife comes first,” said Fisher. "If she were to go into labour later on this evening or tomorrow I’ve got no choice.
“I want to be there. It’s going to be a great experience and one that I don’t want to miss.”