Luke Donald in contention at the Open despite untidy start and finish on day two
Last Updated: 17/07/15 11:45pm
Luke Donald was left to rue a poor start and finish to his second round at the 144th Open, but he was happy to be in contention heading into the weekend.
Donald made the worst possible start when he mis-hit his approach to the first into the Swilcan Burn and ran up a double-bogey six, but he responded with six birdies between the fifth and 15th holes to get to within one of the lead on eight under.
But the former world No 1 then bogeyed 17 and 18 to return a disappointing 70, although he is just three behind clubhouse leader Danny Willett after a weather-shortened second day at St Andrews.
"To finish 5-5 leaves a sad taste after such a good middle part of the round but there are a lot of positives and I am still in a good position," he said. "I misjudged the wind a little bit (at the first) and hit it heavy and came up short.
"But I played some good golf in the middle, holing some good putts. You can take making a five at 17 but 18 my drive unfortunately finished in a divot and I probably let it bother me a little bit too much.
"It was getting gloomy and that last putt was a little hard to see the read but I thought I had made it. Other than that I was glad to get finished.
"I feel like I am hitting some good shots and am confident with my putter and I am in a good position. It is meant to be a wild day tomorrow so we will see what happens."
