Home On The Range No More

Japan is a golf-mad country that is still waiting for its first major champion.

Katsuyoshi Tomori probably never headed many lists in his home country as most likely to break through. But Tomori is halfway home at the 124th British Open, tied for the lead with John Daly and Brad Faxon at 6-under 138.

“There are no words to express my feelings,” Tomori, who speaks no English, said through an interpreter after his 68 on Friday. “I just smile when I get a birdie, and when I make bogey I feel anguish in my heart.”

Masashi “Jumbo” Ozaki, the superstar of Japanese golf, teased his fans at the U.S. Open last month. He was tied with Greg Norman for the lead after two rounds before blowing up with an 80.

Tomori, 40, did not start playing golf until he was 22, when he got a job collecting balls at a driving range. Six years later he turned pro and he has won five Japanese events in 12 years on tour.

Tomori, who has played the last two British Opens and was the only Japanese player to make the cut at Turnberry last year, is playing St. Andrews for the first time this week.

“I still don’t know whether I like it or not,” said Tomori, who called Scottish golf “too difficult.”

On the rebound

One day after taking 10 at the par-5 14th hole, Jack Nicklaus took a routine par at the hole Friday en route to a 70, good enough to make the cut because of the 10-shot rule.

Nicklaus hit his drive to the same spot as Thursday, then carefully avoided Hell Bunker with a 6-iron. He hit a 9-iron onto the green and 2-putted. Nicklaus, who opened with a 78, has not taken a bogey since the disaster.

In the Nick of time

After opening with a 74, Nick Faldo shot 67 to tie for the day’s best round and remain in contention. At 3-under 141 Faldo, who won here in 1990, is just three shots off the lead.

“I holed a lot of putts - simple as that, really,” said Faldo, who made a putting adjustment with the help of his caddie, Fanny Sunesson. “My position is certainly a lot better than it was (Thursday) night.”

Takami’s wall shot

Kazuhari Takami produced a trick shot at the 17th to get his ball close to the flag from the road, while he was facing the wrong way.

He chipped the ball against the wall that separates the road from the fans and it rebounded up the slope and to within 15 feet of the flag. Takami couldn’t follow his enterprising shot with a good putt, however. He scored a bogey 5, had a round of 77 and missed the cut.

Walton’s walkoff

Philip Walton of Ireland walked off the 18th without completing his round Friday.

Hoping to birdie the last hole and gain a chance of making the cut, Walton tried to drive the green but pushed his shot so wide on the right it went through the railings.

The Irishman walked up to see where his ball had gone and was told it had gone out of bounds. Walton, who shot a 70 in Thursday’s opening round, didn’t see much point in walking all the way back to make another tee shot and just walked off without returning a score.