Jul 17, 2009, 16:20 GMT
Turnberry, Scotland - American Steve Marino produced a 2- under par second round score of 68 to take the early clubhouse lead on day 2 of the 138th British Open as conditions deteriorated on the Scottish links course on Friday.
Marino sits at the top of the standings with a score of 5-under after building on his 67 on the opening day and must now wait and see how the later starters fare in the damp and windy weather at Turnberry.
'It was kind of a wild round, I hit some really awful shots in the beginning,' said Marino, who carded three bogeys and three birdies on a difficult and wind-challenged outward nine.
The 29-year-old, who was originally third reserve for the championship and only received a call-up for his first Open on Sunday, produced a steadier inward nine, only bogeying the 10th while registering a birdy on 14 and an eagle at the par-5 17.
'It was just an awesome day for me,' he concluded.
Mark Calcavecchia, winner of the British Open in 1989 at nearby Troon, lies in second spot, one shot adrift of Marino after shooting a 69.
'It's a lot of fun, it feels good,' said the 49-year-old. 'There's a long way to go but so far, so good.'
England's Ross Fisher lies in a four-man group two shots behind Marino, after shooting a 68 in a round that included five birdies and three bogeys.
Also on 3-under is overnight leader Miguel Angel Jimenez, who was unable to replicate his opening round of 64, equalling the lowest first round in Open history.
However, the 45-year-old remains in contention courtesy of a 73 that included four bogeys on the opening six holes.
'There are two more rounds and I've been hitting the ball very well,' said Jiminez.
Two-time US Open winner Retief Goosen remains well in the frame on the same score after the South African shot a level-par 70, while Japan's Kenichi Kuboya followed up on his superb 65 Thursday with a 2-over round of 72.
JB Holmes and James Kingston are both a shot further back on 2- under while defending champion Padraig Harrington, looking to win a third successive title, is at least likely to make the cut after finishing on 3-over after a round of 74.
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