5 things we learned Friday at the British Open at St. Andrews

Friday is going to be a day that the golf world remembers for a long, long time because it may mark the day that Tiger Woods played his last competitive round at the Old Course at St. Andrews. Conditions were easier than Thursday, but Woods was unable to make the cut after shooting 78-75.

Cameron Smith, however, backed up his Thursday 67 with a 64 that has him at the top of the leaderboard at 13 under heading into the weekend.

Golfweek went inside the numbers for trends and insights from the home of golf to help give context to what we have seen so far at the 150th British Open.

BRITISH OPEN: Saturday tee times, TV info | Scores

1
A 36-hole lead is anything but a lock

Cameron Smith reacts after an eagle putt on the 14th green during the second round of the 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews Old Course. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports)

After shooting a Friday 64, Cameron Smith holds the 36-hole lead with a 13-under 131. There is another 36 holes to go, and while it may be tempting to think that the 150th British Open is now his tournament to lose, recent history at the oldest major championship says otherwise.

Last year at Royal St. Georges, Louis Oosthuizen set the record for the lowest 36-hole score at a British Open with 129 (11 under) but he lost to Collin Morikawa. The Open was not held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but in 2019 Shane Lowry won at Royal Portrush after sharing the 36-hole lead with J.B. Holmes at 134 (8 under). Zach Johnson and Kevin Kisner led at Carnoustie after 36 holes in 2018, but Italy’s Francesco Molinari won. At Royal Birkdale, Jordan Spieth came through with a win after leading at the 36-hole mark, and Henrik Stenson won at Royal Troon the year before after Phil Mickelson had the 36-hole lead. Zach Johnson won at St. Andrews in 2015 after Dustin Johnson had the lead going into Saturday.

2
But if it comes down to putting, Smith might be the man

Cameron Smith putts for an eagle on the 14th green during the second round of the 150th Open Championship golf tournament at St. Andrews Old Course. (Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports)

The firm fairways and massive greens at St. Andrews have demanded players’ lagging putting be sharp. At this point, giving away a few strokes on the greens could cost a player the Claret Jug. Given that, it should come as no surprise that the leader, Cameron Smith, is among…