Harman matches British Open records at Hoylake to build 5-shot lead over Fleetwood

Brian Harman found himself in elite company through two rounds at Royal Liverpool, tying the 36-hole record also held by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. Even better was having no company at all atop the leaderboard Friday in the British Open.

Harman seized control early with four straight birdies, and saved his best for the final hole. He ripped a 5-iron to 15 feet for eagle, giving him a 6-under 65 that gave him a five-shot lead over Tommy Fleetwood going into the weekend.

Not since Scottie Scheffler at the 2021 Masters has a player led by five shots through 36 holes. The last player to lead the British Open by five shots at the halfway point was Louis Oosthuizen at St. Andrews in 2010. Both went on to win handily.

"I understand a lot can happen at an Open, but eight shots is a lot of shots to spot a player who's playing really well," said Jordan Spieth, who lost three shots on the back nine for a 71 that left him eight behind. "But I think we'll just have to look at what Brian will do. He's in control now. It's on him."

Prodigious.<br><br>Brian Harman signs off with an eagle for a superb 65.<br><br>He leads by five shots. <a href="https://t.co/a3u2j36SGn">pic.twitter.com/a3u2j36SGn</a>

McIlroy had even more ground to make up. He figured a round in the 60s would have put him right back in the mix. He lost his spark around the turn and only a birdie at the par-5 18th allowed him to break par with a 70. He was nine shots behind in his quest to end nine years without a major.

Harman's 65 matched the lowest score for Royal Liverpool, which is hosting the Open for the 13th time. He was at 10-under 132, the same score Woods in 2006 and McIlroy in 2014 had when they went on to win the claret jug.

Harman cared only about a little