Korean K.J. Choi was atop the leaderboard Friday after two rounds at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England, but was somewhat overshadowed by the exploits of past British Open champions Greg Norman and David Duval.
Choi shot a 3-under 67 and is at 139 after two rounds, a shot ahead of Norman. Choi, 37, has never won a major, finishing in the top 10 on three occasions. He finished eighth at last year's Open in Carnoustie, Scotland.
Norman matched par for the second straight round Friday at the British Open, shooting 70 at a brutally tough Royal Birkdale course in Southport, England.
A month after marrying tennis great Chris Evert, the Shark has turned back the clock at the British Open, a major he won two times in his prime but never thought was still there for the taking at age 53.
"My expectations were almost nil coming in, to tell you the truth," said Norman. "I hadn't played a lot of golf."
Norman won the British Open twice in his prime — in 1986 at Turnberry and then again at Royal St. George's in 1993.
"You feel like you're stepping back in time," he said. "Still, my expectations are still realistically low, and I have to be that way, too … I haven't been there for a long time."
Duval had perhaps an even more surprising result, going 1-under. His career went into a tailspin not along after his 2001 British Open win, with the American suffering a host of mechanical and psychological issues through the years in trying to regain his form.
He had made the cut in just one of 12 PGA events this year.
Duval was at 2-over for the tournament, tied with six golfers, including defending champ Padraig Harrington of Ireland.
Ames in the hunt, Weir faltersCalgary's Stephen Ames shot par Friday and is in contention at 3-over at the halfway mark, tied with Swedes Peter Hanson and Fredrik Jacobson, as well as Stuart Appleby of Australia and Briton Ian Poulter.
Mike Weir of Bright's Grove, Ont., just a shot off the pace after Thursday, struggled badly on the last six holes to finish with a 6-over 76. He triple bogeyed the 15th.
No one was hotter Friday than Colombia's Camilo Villegas, who shot a 5-under 65. Villegas started his round with two bogeys but closed with five straight birdies, rolling in putts of 16, 6, 16, 3 and 20 feet.
"I obviously played unbelievable," he said. "My caddie just told me to keep battling, keep grinding."
Villegas has never won on the PGA Tour, but put himself right in contention at a tournament known for unlikely champions, including Ben Curtis and Todd Hamilton.
The charismatic Colombian had eight birdies overall. He capped his amazing run at the end by striking the flagstick with his approach at No. 18, then sinking the putt after the ball ricocheted onto the fringe.
Even though he's used to a more balmy climate, Villegas wasn't bothered by the chilly, wet conditions at his first British Open. The temperature struggled to reach 15 C, a light mist fell much of the morning and a stiff breeze forced everyone to put on an extra layer of clothing.
"It's the same for everybody," Villegas said. "Who cares?"
Norman was two strokes ahead of the field until he made a mess of No. 17. He put two shots in the rough and another in a backside bunker, but rolled in a 12-footer for bogey that limited the damage.
After a perfect drive on No. 18, Norman walked up the fairway twirling his club and taking in a huge roar from the British gallery, which knows him as a two-time Open winner, not the guy who squandered numerous chances to win majors in the States.
Norman's approach came up far short of the flag, then he rocketed the putt 20 feet past. Facing another bogey, the Aussie sank a par saver, giving the slightest hint of a fist pump, then a tip of the cap as his caddie patted him on the shoulder.
"That was quite an ordeal last few holes," Norman said. "I felt like it was getting away from me a little bit."
Those who went out early Friday found the course a bit easier. Then, a pounding rain struck suddenly around lunchtime, giving everyone a glimpse at what might await those with p.m. tee times. The forecast called for potentially heavy showers throughout the day on top of an ever-more-menacing wind that could be gusting to 56 km/h for the late finishers.
The projected cut was a 9-over 149.
'I can do it again'Along with Harrington, Rocco Mediate, Graeme McDowell and Robert Allenby, the leaders after the first round, are three strokes behind Choi.
A double bogey at No. 11 marred Mediate's round, but he tapped in for birdie at the final hole to cap a 73.
Mediate is following up on the U.S. Open, where the 45-year-old journeyman gave Tiger Woods all he could handle until losing a 19-hole playoff.
"It made me think I can do it again," Mediate said. "I don't know what will happen, but I know I'll be more comfortable."
Also tied for fourth with 142 are Sweden's Alexander Noren and American Jim Furyk.
McDowell was struggling — with four bogeys and no birdies — until a 3-wood at No. 16 set up a short birdie putt.
Several notable golfers finished under par to make the cut after tough opening rounds. They included Curtis, Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els, and Scott Verplank.
With files from the Associated PressYankees' Chamberlain to debut as starter Tuesday
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Accardo, Blue Jays avoid sweep in Bronx
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Luongo pulled again in loss to Wild
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