South African challenges Rory’s glory

12.05pm – South African Louis Oosthuizen today set a testing clubhouse target in the second round of the Open Championship.

Oosthuizen, two shots behind leader Rory McIlroy overnight, added a 67 to his opening 65 for a 12-under-par halfway total of 132 and a three-shot lead over McIlroy, who was among the afternoon starters.

In the second group out today at 6:41am, Oosthuizen survived the wildly fluctuating weather to fire seven birdies and two bogeys, including three in a row from the fifth.

“When we got to the fifth the rain was coming down pretty hard and the back nine didn’t look too bright at that stage, but we got lucky at 13 when the wind stopped and turned so we played the last five holes downwind,” the 27-year-old said.

“I knew I needed to keep calm throughout the round because I knew it was going to be a tough day and I’m very, very happy.”

10.25am – SOUTH African Louis Oosthuizen today maintained his challenge for a first major title at the Open Championship in St Andrews.

Oosthuizen took advantage of decent morning conditions to move to 10 under par after eight holes of his second round.

That saw the 27-year-old move one shot clear of overnight leader Rory McIlroy.

Oosthuizen started his round only two behind the Northern Irishman following an excellent 65 in tougher conditions yesterday.

The Mossel Bay born player was in the second group out today at 6:41am and started with three regulation pars.

A heavy shower then arrived, although that did not stop Oosthuizen from carding his first birdie of the day on the 568-yard par-five fifth.

Oosthuizen then picked up two more shots at the next two holes to see his name sit at the top of the leaderboard.