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Newsweek
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
The Open: Sergio Garcia Snaps Driver, Fails to Replace It amid Final Run
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The final round of the 153rd Open Championship teed off at 4:35 a.m. ET on Sunday with World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler leading the scoreboard at 14-under. But while Scheffler was getting ready for his turn, LIV Golf's Sergio Garcia sparked backlash with a bizarre outburst at Royal Portrush. CÁDIZ, SPAIN - JULY 13: CÁDIZ, SPAIN - JULY 13: Sergio Garcia of Fireballs GC tees off on the 11th hole on day three of LIV Golf Andalucia at Valderrama on July 13, 2025 in... CÁDIZ, SPAIN - JULY 13: CÁDIZ, SPAIN - JULY 13: Sergio Garcia of Fireballs GC tees off on the 11th hole on day three of LIV Golf Andalucia at Valderrama on July 13, 2025 in Cádiz, Spain. (Photo by) More Getty Images The 2017 Masters champion began his round at 4:55 a.m. ET alongside Justin Leonard, sitting outside the top 50 at even par. Dressed in his iconic red style, Spaniard opened the Sunday round with an even par, but what followed on the second hole stole headlines for all the wrong reasons. After a wayward tee shot sailed left into the rough, Garcia lost it. He slammed his driver into the turf, breaking it into two halves. The clubhead flew toward his bag while the remaining part was left lifeless in his hand, as captured in a video posted by Sky Sports on X. Sergio Garcia snaps his driver in frustration after a poor tee shot on the second hole 😤 — Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) July 20, 2025 According to Rule 4.1 of the Rules of Golf, Garcia couldn't replace the driver because the damage was self-inflicted. He played the remaining 16 holes without a driver. The report was also confirmed by later. Ironically, Garcia channeled the rage into results. He birdied the second hole moments after the outburst, followed by four more birdies, finishing the round with a total of 68. This was his best score of the week. But the behavior didn't go unnoticed; instead, fans hit back on social media. X post drew sharp criticism, with one fan commenting, "Embarrassing! Should be disqualified and taken off the grounds. What an example to set to others." Others echoed the above sentiment, labeling the act "childish" and calling for penalties to discourage such displays. This isn't Garcia's first temper flare at Royal Portrush During the final day of the 2019 Open Championship, while playing at the same course, Garcia reportedly threw his driver toward his caddie after a poor shot, per Though no formal penalty was issued then, the incident lingered in memory, and Sunday's repeat only reignited the debate. Garcia's major season this year has been underwhelming. He missed the cut at the Masters, finished near the bottom at the PGA Championship, and failed to qualify for the U.S. Open. His entry into The Open, too, came via a LIV Golf exemption for top performers and not through traditional merit. Now, with another major misfire behind him, his Ryder Cup hopes dangle by a thread. Despite a LIV win earlier this year, Garcia's path to Bethpage Black will rely entirely on a captain's pick from Luke Donald. More Golf: Bryson DeChambeau hit with warning amid 'disappointing' round 3 at The Open
USA Today
20-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Sergio snaps: Garcia snaps driver in anger at 2025 British Open, plays on without club
Sergio Garcia's famous temper flared again and this time it resulted in him snapping his driver at the 153rd British Open on Sunday. The Spaniard is playing without all 14 clubs at his disposal because he lost his cool after hitting a wayward drive left on the par-5 second hole at Royal Portrush Golf Club. Garcia, 45, slammed his driver on the hard links turf and the head popped off. Garcia will have to play the remainder of the round without the club. The Rules of Golf do not allow a player to replace a club broken in anger. Rule 4.1 states: "A player is allowed to keep using and/or to repair any club damaged during the round, no matter what the damage and even if the player damaged it in anger. "A player is not allowed to replace a damaged club, except when it is damaged during the round by an outside influence or natural forces, or by someone other than the player or his or her caddie." Garcia has a long history of outbursts on the golf course. He was hoping for a strong finish this week to leave a lasting impression on European Ryder Cup Captain Luke Donald. Garcia has been a member of every European Ryder Cup team since 1999, with the exception of 2010 and 2023, and has a career record at the Ryder Cup of 25–13–7. He won earlier this year on LIV Golf but has struggled in the majors, missing the cut at the Masters and back of the pack at the PGA Championship. (He failed to qualify for the U.S. Open.) "I had a good conversation with Luke last week, and we both know what we want," he said earlier this week. "The only thing I can do is keep working hard, keep building my confidence up, and if I'm able to do that, then it should be fine. We'll see." Garcia managed to make birdie at the second hole after snapping his driver. He is currently 1-under for the tournament.
Newsweek
19-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Shane Lowry Endures Two-Stroke Penalty at Open, But Not For Reason You Think
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Shane Lowry received a two-stroke penalty during the second round of the Open Championship. Officials noted that his ball moved during his second shot on the 12th hole, and the consequences could be decisive for his fate in the event. However, Lowry didn't accept the penalty just because of the ball's movement, as the rules officials ruled. His reasons were more related to his character and the meaning of being in this type of situation as a golfer. "I had to take the penalty because -- I'm still not sure, to be honest, whether it was or not, but I had to take the penalty because I can't have my name talked about or tossed around like that, and I just get on with it," Lowry said via a transcript of his post-round press conference. Video of the moment is available in numerous social media posts, and it's easy to see how complex the situation was. Needless to say, Lowry wasn't at all happy with the officers' decision. "I think they had it in their heads the ball moved, I caused it to move, it's a two-shot penalty. They only had one camera angle which was zoomed in at the ball. They had none of me actually full length, which we were looking for and needed," Lowry was quoted as saying. The movement of the ball at rest is regulated by Rule 9 of the Rules of Golf established by the R&A and the United States Golf Association. Basically, if a player moves their ball, they receive a two-stroke penalty, regardless of whether it was unintentional or if the movement did not result in a more favorable lie. Golf Insider Points Out "Structural Problem" Behind Shane Lowry's Case The matter prompted, among others, a reaction from well-known golf statistician Lou Stagner, who assessed the significance of Lowry's alleged ball movement. Stagner also offered his opinion on the underlying reasons for such situations. Shane Lowry of Ireland on the 15th hole during day two of The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 18, 2025 in Portrush, Northern Ireland. Shane Lowry of Ireland on the 15th hole during day two of The 153rd Open Championship at Royal Portrush Golf Club on July 18, 2025 in Portrush, Northern Ireland."This is where golf's rules become divorced from common sense. What happened to Lowry should not be a penalty. There needs to be space in the rulebook for judgment. If the movement of the ball gave no benefit, there should be no consequence," he said via X. "The deeper problem is structural. The USGA and R&A are self-appointed governing bodies. They have no competition. They can operate however they choose. That is the nature of a monopoly." The truth is, Lowry went from being tied for 17th at 2-under to making the cut by one stroke at even par. The Irishman wasn't exactly in contention for the title, as Scottie Scheffler leads at 10-under, but his situation was decidedly more favorable. "Look, it's a disappointing thing to happen to me, but that's golf," Lowry told reporters, according to the transcript, trying to see the bright side. "Onwards and upwards and give it a run this weekend." More Golf: Open Championship: Rory McIlroy Struggles Amid Local Hero 'Added Pressure'
Belfast Telegraph
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
The Open: Shane Lowry facing potential penalty problem, new leader hits birdie blitz and Rory McIlroy insists he 'can challenge'
10 minutes ago According to the rules In Rule 9.4 of the Rules of Golf (the gospel of the sport) - if you cause your ball at rest to move then it is a one-stroke penalty and the ball must be replaced. If it is not replaced and you proceed to play the stroke, then it is a two-stroke penalty. By that video, it appears that Lowry moved his ball and then didn't replace it before playing his stroke, so that would be a two-stroke penalty. However, will they apply leniency because Lowry clearly didn't know that his ball had moved? 12 minutes ago Gareth Hanna World number one aiming upwards Scottie Scheffler fires it in to seven feet at the 13th, with Lowry and Morikawa further away, but also setting up makeable birdie putts. Scheffler could be about get back to -8 - and with five holes still to play. Edit: Scheffler tap, tap, taps it in and he's in a tie for second. No such joy for Lowry (-1). 17 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Lowry makes par... for now A routine two putt par keeps Lowry at -1 for the week but... what will come later regarding that practice swing controversy? It's just become the evening's talking point. 23 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Fitzpatrick safe on 15 The leader got a good drive away on the 15th and has slotted his approach onto the middle of the green. You'd have to say it's highly likely there's a two-putt par coming up to stay -9. 23 minutes ago Potential penalty problem for Shane I don't fully know the rules on this, so I'm not going to say for definite that he's in trouble here, but there is video evidence that as he took a practice swing from the rough on the par-five 12th that the impact of his club hitting the ground caused his ball to move - and quite obviously, too, there's no denying that's what happened. The only question is what is the ruling around it? Because an action that Lowry took caused the ball to move, is that considered a stroke? Is there no problem because it wasn't a stroke aimed at the ball? We will find out soon enough. Fried Egg Golf on Twitter / X Sure looks like Shane Lowry's ball moved on the practice swing here Fried Egg Golf (@fried_egg_golf) July 18, 2025 External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. 27 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Is Tom making the cut? It's looking less and less likely as time goes on, unfortunately. He remains in a tie for 78th, needing eight players to drop to at least +3 to sneak in. The rain drying up doesn't do him any favours, either. 30 minutes ago Gareth Hanna A tester for the leader A poor approach from Fitzpatrick tickles off the right side of the 14th green. His chip pulls up over five feet short and he'll have that to stay at -10. And the first sign of trouble? The putt slips past as he gesticulates angrily at the green. It's a third drop shot of the day and he falls back to -9, now just one clear of clubhouse leaders Harman and Li. So really the heading to this post should be: Rory moves within six 35 minutes ago Adam McKendry West in show Lee Westwood looked to be in serious trouble on the 18th as he found the greenside bunker and had an awful lie, from which he could only push it to 27 feet beyond the hole - a good shot in the circumstances, it must be said. But it doesn't matter because he holes the putt back! Superb putt from the Englishman and he signs for a one-under 71 to head into the weekend level with Rory McIlroy at -3! 36 minutes ago Gareth Hanna What about Shane? He's been adopting a bit of a Brian Harman 'boring' style today, except with fewer birdies. It's now nine pars and one birdie (at the 3rd) for his opening 10 holes. However, that has now changed. Because he's made bogey. Turns out he had to hack out of rough - as did his playing partner Scheffler. Neither are able to save par from the back of the green and so Scheffler tumbles to -7, Lowry to -1. 40 minutes ago Adam McKendry 'I played the same... but I said I can't give up': Bryson DeChambeau on his 13-shot swing between his first round and second round which helped him make the cut What was the difference:"I played the same as I did yesterday. That's links golf for you. I executed pretty much the same shots as I did yesterday. I didn't feel like I played any different, today they just kind of went more my way. My wedges were just a fraction better and that was really it. Made a couple more putts. Just really felt like I was rolling it well today. There wasn't much different. That's why links golf is the way links golf is." What did you say to yourself:"I want to go home. But I woke up this morning and I said, you know what, I can't give up. My dad always told me never to give up, just got to keep going, and that's what I did today. I was proud of the way I fought back, really persevered through some emotionally difficult moments and to hold myself together and not get p****d and slam clubs and throw things and all that like I wanted to, like I was very proud of myself." 45 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Scheffler struggling for par at 11 I know what I was saying about slow rounds out there.... but if I was these guys now, I'd be going slowly to have to hit as few shots as possible before this rain goes off. It's torrential but is due to clear up shortly. In the mean time, it's definitely having an impact as the world number one has to chop out of thick rough left of 11. 48 minutes ago Gareth Hanna See? This is what I was saying about not wanting a Harman, English final pairing on Sunday... Brian Harman to continue his 'very boring approach' in bid for second Open title Former Open champion Brian Harman claims the name of the venue may have changed but his game is the same as he seeks to replicate his 2023 Claret Jug victory. 53 minutes ago Adam McKendry An ark just floated past the media centre That means the rain is back and it is hammering down in biblical proportions again. I really don't know how else to describe it, it is absolutely chucking it down and while it might be a short shower that last 10-15 minutes, it's really going to make things miserable out there for the players. Let's see how it affects them... Adam McKendry 'I feel really comfortable here': Clubhouse leader Brian Harman, who is at -8 after a second round 65 On the similarities between Hoylake and Portrush:"I feel really comfortable over here. I'm comfortable driving it. They're very different golf courses but the golf is similar. You've got to be able to flight your golf ball, you've got to know how far everything's going, then you can't get frustrated. You're going to get bad breaks, you're going to end up in funny spots where it doesn't seem fair and you just have to kind of outlast that stuff. Although the golf courses are different, the style of golf is very similar." His approach for Saturday:"I'll approach the weekend the same way (as 2023). The only thing I'm really worried about is the first tee ball tomorrow 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 trying to be heroic or do anything crazy. I know that I've got the game to do it, and it's just a matter of executing and staying in my own head. I would love to have a similar weekend (to 2023) and just play great the whole way through. There's going to be challenges. This is a hard golf course. The pins have been in really, really tough spots, and you've really got to think your way around it. Inevitably you're going to mis-hit some shots and end up in spots you don't want to be in, and the way you handle that will determine the outcome of the tournament for sure." 58 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Fitzpatrick doing a Lowry? It's now FOUR consecutive birdies to start to the back nine for the Englishman who has opened up a two-shot lead at the top. He's now six under par for the day. A couple more birdies in his final five holes and he could yet match Shane's Saturday 63 from 2019. The Open on Twitter / X Into double digits with his fourth birdie has a two-shot lead. The Open (@TheOpen) July 18, 2025 Today 05:07 PM Gareth Hanna 'We love you Darren' A single fan's voice can be heard after a loud and lengthy round of applause, whoops and whistles subsides when Clarke reaches the green for what will be the final time this week. The 2011 champion is very well-liked by Northern Ireland's golfing public, and they're making sure he knows it. The man who now gives his name to the 9th hole on the Dunluce Links, is also remembered for beating Tiger Woods in the final of the 2000 WGC World Matchplay. He closes out his week with a bogey to finish +6, but these fans have enjoyed watching him play one more time. Today 04:59 PM NEW SOLO LEADER Matt Fitzpatrick is your new leader as he takes advantage of the short par-five 12th by hitting it in two and safely two-putting for the birdie that takes him to -9 and one clear of Brian Harman and Haotong Li! Over on the 18th green, as a half full stand awaits Darren Clarke, there was a gasp and a round of applause as the leaderboard was updated to send Fitzpatrick top. Today 04:57 PM Haotong joins clubhouse Li'd Haotong Li matches yesterday's 67 to tie Brian Harman 's clubhouse lead of eight under par. Unfortunately for them, it looks like Matt Fitzpatrick is about to go one shot clear as he's on the par five 12th in two. Today 04:56 PM Flag hunting Almost literally for Dustin Johnson as he takes aim with his second shot on the par-four 18th, it hits the green hard and bounces up... and hits the flag, dropping down a foot from the hole! Sometimes you get the breaks and that was certainly one of them - that will be a tap-in birdie for the two-time Major winner and he'll be in for the weekend at level-par!
Irish Independent
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
The Open: Shane Lowry's potential penalty, Rory McIlroy grinds his way back into contention at Portrush
live | We'll bring you live updates here across the week Gareth Hanna and Adam McKendry It's a massive week in Royal Portrush as the 153rd Open Championship takes place. We will bring you all the action from the course all week as Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry lead the Irish challenge. 2 minutes ago Adam McKendry Not Lowry's day We're still none the wiser on the rules issue but, even besides that, nothing is going right for the 2019 champion as he eyes up a 10-footer for birdie on the par-four 14th but sees it burn the edge low and stay up. He'll settle for a par and stay at -1 - for now. Scottie Scheffler also had a look at birdie that would have taken him into a share of the lead but it, too, goes wide and he remains at -8. 5 minutes ago Fitz going to be double figures again That's an outstanding approach into the 17th from Matt Fitzpatrick, who hammered a drive all the way down the hill on the par-four and had a flip in with a wedge to all of about two feet. That's going to be a tap-in birdie and he should be up to -10 again. Edit: Oh my goodness, no it isn't. He's missed it. That's an absolute shocker from Fitzpatrick and he stays -9. 9 minutes ago Adam McKendry 'A little bit p****d off': Tom McKibbin not happy to miss the cut after a two-over 73 saw him miss the cut at +3 His feelings on missing the cut:"Not great. A little bit annoyed. Yeah, a little bit p****d off. The whole week was good, sort of positive. I thought I played all right, just a few sort of stupid mistakes that, looking back, I wouldn't really hit different. The shot was fine, just sort of missed in the wrong spot or got the club slightly wrong. Overall, I actually thought I played quite nicely, just a few silly mistakes." 27 minutes ago Adam McKendry According to the rules In Rule 9.4 of the Rules of Golf (the gospel of the sport) - if you cause your ball at rest to move then it is a one-stroke penalty and the ball must be replaced. If it is not replaced and you proceed to play the stroke, then it is a two-stroke penalty. By that video, it appears that Lowry moved his ball and then didn't replace it before playing his stroke, so that would be a two-stroke penalty. However, will they apply leniency because Lowry clearly didn't know that his ball had moved? 28 minutes ago Gareth Hanna World number one aiming upwards Scottie Scheffler fires it in to seven feet at the 13th, with Lowry and Morikawa further away, but also setting up makeable birdie putts. Scheffler could be about get back to -8 - and with five holes still to play. Edit: Scheffler tap, tap, taps it in and he's in a tie for second. No such joy for Lowry (-1). 33 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Lowry makes par... for now A routine two putt par keeps Lowry at -1 for the week but... what will come later regarding that practice swing controversy? It's just become the evening's talking point. 40 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Fitzpatrick safe on 15 The leader got a good drive away on the 15th and has slotted his approach onto the middle of the green. You'd have to say it's highly likely there's a two-putt par coming up to stay -9. 40 minutes ago Adam McKendry Potential penalty problem for Shane I don't fully know the rules on this, so I'm not going to say for definite that he's in trouble here, but there is video evidence that as he took a practice swing from the rough on the par-five 12th that the impact of his club hitting the ground caused his ball to move - and quite obviously, too, there's no denying that's what happened. The only question is what is the ruling around it? Because an action that Lowry took caused the ball to move, is that considered a stroke? Is there no problem because it wasn't a stroke aimed at the ball? We will find out soon enough. Fried Egg Golf on Twitter / X Sure looks like Shane Lowry's ball moved on the practice swing here Fried Egg Golf (@fried_egg_golf) July 18, 2025 External contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. 43 minutes ago Gareth Hanna Is Tom making the cut? It's looking less and less likely as time goes on, unfortunately. He remains in a tie for 78th, needing eight players to drop to at least +3 to sneak in. The rain drying up doesn't do him any favours, either. 47 minutes ago Gareth Hanna A tester for the leader A poor approach from Fitzpatrick tickles off the right side of the 14th green. His chip pulls up over five feet short and he'll have that to stay at -10. And the first sign of trouble? The putt slips past as he gesticulates angrily at the green. It's a third drop shot of the day and he falls back to -9, now just one clear of clubhouse leaders Harman and Li. So really the heading to this post should be: Rory moves within six 51 minutes ago Adam McKendry West in show Lee Westwood looked to be in serious trouble on the 18th as he found the greenside bunker and had an awful lie, from which he could only push it to 27 feet beyond the hole - a good shot in the circumstances, it must be said. But it doesn't matter because he holes the putt back! Superb putt from the Englishman and he signs for a one-under 71 to head into the weekend level with Rory McIlroy at -3! 53 minutes ago Gareth Hanna What about Shane? He's been adopting a bit of a Brian Harman 'boring' style today, except with fewer birdies. It's now nine pars and one birdie (at the 3rd) for his opening 10 holes. However, that has now changed. Because he's made bogey. Turns out he had to hack out of rough - as did his playing partner Scheffler. Neither are able to save par from the back of the green and so Scheffler tumbles to -7, Lowry to -1. 57 minutes ago Adam McKendry 'I played the same... but I said I can't give up': Bryson DeChambeau on his 13-shot swing between his first round and second round which helped him make the cut What was the difference:"I played the same as I did yesterday. That's links golf for you. I executed pretty much the same shots as I did yesterday. I didn't feel like I played any different, today they just kind of went more my way. My wedges were just a fraction better and that was really it. Made a couple more putts. Just really felt like I was rolling it well today. There wasn't much different. That's why links golf is the way links golf is." What did you say to yourself:"I want to go home. But I woke up this morning and I said, you know what, I can't give up. My dad always told me never to give up, just got to keep going, and that's what I did today. I was proud of the way I fought back, really persevered through some emotionally difficult moments and to hold myself together and not get p****d and slam clubs and throw things and all that like I wanted to, like I was very proud of myself." Today 01:29 PM Gareth Hanna Scheffler struggling for par at 11 I know what I was saying about slow rounds out there.... but if I was these guys now, I'd be going slowly to have to hit as few shots as possible before this rain goes off. It's torrential but is due to clear up shortly. In the mean time, it's definitely having an impact as the world number one has to chop out of thick rough left of 11. Today 01:26 PM Gareth Hanna See? This is what I was saying about not wanting a Harman, English final pairing on Sunday... Brian Harman to continue his 'very boring approach' in bid for second Open title Former Open champion Brian Harman claims the name of the venue may have changed but his game is the same as he seeks to replicate his 2023 Claret Jug victory. Today 01:21 PM Adam McKendry An ark just floated past the media centre That means the rain is back and it is hammering down in biblical proportions again. I really don't know how else to describe it, it is absolutely chucking it down and while it might be a short shower that last 10-15 minutes, it's really going to make things miserable out there for the players. Let's see how it affects them... Today 01:17 PM Adam McKendry 'I feel really comfortable here': Clubhouse leader Brian Harman, who is at -8 after a second round 65 On the similarities between Hoylake and Portrush:"I feel really comfortable over here. I'm comfortable driving it. They're very different golf courses but the golf is similar. You've got to be able to flight your golf ball, you've got to know how far everything's going, then you can't get frustrated. You're going to get bad breaks, you're going to end up in funny spots where it doesn't seem fair and you just have to kind of outlast that stuff. Although the golf courses are different, the style of golf is very similar." His approach for Saturday:"I'll approach the weekend the same way (as 2023). The only thing I'm really worried about is the first tee ball tomorrow 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 trying to be heroic or do anything crazy. I know that I've got the game to do it, and it's just a matter of executing and staying in my own head. I would love to have a similar weekend (to 2023) and just play great the whole way through. There's going to be challenges. This is a hard golf course. The pins have been in really, really tough spots, and you've really got to think your way around it. Inevitably you're going to mis-hit some shots and end up in spots you don't want to be in, and the way you handle that will determine the outcome of the tournament for sure." Today 01:16 PM Gareth Hanna Fitzpatrick doing a Lowry? It's now FOUR consecutive birdies to start to the back nine for the Englishman who has opened up a two-shot lead at the top. He's now six under par for the day. A couple more birdies in his final five holes and he could yet match Shane's Saturday 63 from 2019. The Open on Twitter / X Into double digits with his fourth birdie has a two-shot lead. The Open (@TheOpen) July 18, 2025 Today 01:07 PM Gareth Hanna 'We love you Darren' A single fan's voice can be heard after a loud and lengthy round of applause, whoops and whistles subsides when Clarke reaches the green for what will be the final time this week. The 2011 champion is very well-liked by Northern Ireland's golfing public, and they're making sure he knows it. The man who now gives his name to the 9th hole on the Dunluce Links, is also remembered for beating Tiger Woods in the final of the 2000 WGC World Matchplay. He closes out his week with a bogey to finish +6, but these fans have enjoyed watching him play one more time. Today 12:59 PM Adam McKendry NEW SOLO LEADER Matt Fitzpatrick is your new leader as he takes advantage of the short par-five 12th by hitting it in two and safely two-putting for the birdie that takes him to -9 and one clear of Brian Harman and Haotong Li! Over on the 18th green, as a half full stand awaits Darren Clarke, there was a gasp and a round of applause as the leaderboard was updated to send Fitzpatrick top. Today 12:57 PM Gareth Hanna Haotong joins clubhouse Li'd Haotong Li matches yesterday's 67 to tie Brian Harman 's clubhouse lead of eight under par. Unfortunately for them, it looks like Matt Fitzpatrick is about to go one shot clear as he's on the par five 12th in two. Live Blog Software
