Ryder Cup stars make move as Harman sets Open pace
The American resurrected memories of his run to claim the 2023 Open with a bogey-free six-under 65 to reach eight under in benign conditions at Royal Portrush.
England's Tyrrell Hatton and Robert MacIntyre of Scotland - who both contended in last month's US Open - are his closest challengers on five under, alongside Denmark's Ryder Cup hopeful Rasmus Hojgaard.
Hatton revealed his pre-Open preparation was an evening round with friends at a nearby pitch and putt course, followed by three pints of a local stout.
When asked if he would repeat the drinks after Friday's round, he replied: "Be rude not to. I think three's the magic number."
World number two Rory McIlroy was again wayward off the tee as he scrambled to a 69 to remain in contention on three under.
He is on the same mark as US Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley, who continues to play to a level that brings into question what his role will be for the match against Europe at Bethpage Black in September.
Matt Fitzpatrick - one of the joint overnight leaders on four under - is among the later starters, as is world number one Scottie Scheffler, who resumed on three under as rain started to lash down on the Antrim coast.
Harman taking a 'boring approach'
Harman was dubbed "the butcher of Hoylake" during his relentless march to the title at Royal Liverpool two years ago as a result of his propensity to slay and eat big game.
He dissected one of the world's toughest courses on Friday, with three birdies in his opening seven holes and three more on the back nine including a six-footer on the last to put daylight between him and the chasing pack.
His charge echoed his performance on the Wirral coast in 2023, when he also shot a second-round 65 to move five clear of the field.
Whether he will remain top of the second-round leaderboard at the close of play may largely depend on whether the rain continues to fall heavily and make life difficult for the later starters.
In contrast, Harman was able to compile his round in largely dry and calm conditions.
His trademark accurate approach play was the cornerstone of his round, with the longest of his six birdie putts being from 15 feet.
"I'll try to approach the weekend in the same way as I did in 2023," he said.
"The only thing I'm worried about is the first tee ball, and then I'll try to hit the next one up there close to the flag. If not, go to the second hole.
"It's a very boring approach that I take."
'I'm not going to back away'
MacIntyre, one of a record eight left-handers in this year's Open field, made the biggest move of the European contingent. His 66 featured six birdies, with his only dropped shot coming on the exacting par-three 16th.
However, the world number 14 atoned for that bogey by knocking in a 20-foot putt from the edge of the 17th green for a birdie.
That lifted the Scot to the same score as Hatton, who was his usual animated self as he mixed four birdies with two bogeys in his 69.
"I'm in a good spot," said MacIntyre, who finished runner-up to JJ Spaun at the US Open, with Hatton tied fourth.
"I'm not scared. I'm not going to back away. If I've got a chance, I'm going to roll the dice. I've got so much more confidence and so much more belief that I am good enough."
The torrential rain arrived with McIlroy on the 18th green but he retained his composure to finish with a solid par, while his Ryder Cup team-mate Ludvig Aberg missed a tiddler for birdie on the last to end on two under.
English pair Justin Rose and Harry Hall are also at two under. After a bogey-free opening, Rose dropped his first shot of the championship on the par-three sixth.
He dropped three more shots on the 11th after losing a ball in a bush but two birdies limited the damage as he signed for a 71.
In-form Hall, who is emerging as a surprise contender for Luke Donald's European team, made seven birdies and three bogeys in a 67.
McIlroy's playing partner Tommy Fleetwood started quickly with four birdies in his opening seven holes to improve to two under.
His only bogey, at the 18th, saw him post a 68 for a one-under total that will mean the 2019 runner-up will be at Portrush for the weekend.
The top 70 and ties at the end of round two will play the final two rounds.
More to follow.
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