ST ANDREWS, Scotland (Reuters) - Former U.S. Masters champion Zach Johnson doffed his cap to the Royal and Ancient organizers and their greenkeeping staff for defying the elements in the second round of the 144th British Open on Friday.
The 39-year-old American did not know what to expect after an early morning deluge left the iconic layout saturated and he was startled to see how quickly St Andrews recovered from the downpour.
"The course was unplayable," Johnson told reporters after a one-under-par 71 gave him a seven-under aggregate of 137, two behind clubhouse leader Danny Willett of England.