The 151st Open already has its qualifiers for the final two rounds. This weekend is going to be a nail-biter with the top 75 golfers making the cut. Defending champion Cam Smith is in the mix, but sadly golfing legend Tiger Woods is missing in action.

Speaking of Woods, how often do we witness a player taking on the epic golfer’s legacy? The 3-time Open Championship winner set a record for his lowest score at Royal Liverpool back in 2006 with a 65 in round 2. He went on to win the Claret Jug. This season, someone has his eyes on that legacy with a tougher challenge.

A historic score that matches Woods’ record!

Round 2 of the Open Championship 2023 ended on Friday with a surprising turnout. Earlier, at Hoylake, the course was a 72-par but this year it is a 71-par course. Brian Harman started his rise to success with a 4-under par on Thursday finishing the round with 67. What was even better was his performance on Friday where he went on to match Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy‘s stunning record from their winning seasons in 2006 and 2014 respectively.

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In his 36-hole play, the two-time PGA Tour winner got a headstart against his comrades. On day two, he successfully birdied four shots, then followed them with an eagle. He came out with a lead of 5 shots over Tommy Fleetwood who finished on an even par at the end of round 2 with a 66 in round 1.

Brian Harman currently has a score of 132 across two rounds, which is same as Woods and McIlroy’s score after two rounds in 2006 and 2014 respectively. However, Harman’s 132 comes in 71-par rounds as opposed to the former winners who had a 72-par.

What do stats say about Harman winning the Open?

Harman has a substantial lead that he could go on to win the championship, following in the footsteps of his predecessors Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. Bridging the gap over the next two rounds will be a challenge for competitors, especially with a 5-stroke lead on the 71-par course.

According to Golf Digest, he currently stands a 17% chance of winning the Open Championship at Hoylake. The estimate also shows that had he taken a 6-shot lead in round 2, his chances of claiming the title would have been 36%. Still, if he continues on the same path of scoring under par and taking his birdies and eagles, his five-shot lead will put him at an advantage.

What do you think of Brian Harmon’s chances of winning the Open Championship? Share your thoughts and opinions with us in the comments below.

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