Oosthuizen challenges McIlroy at windy British Open

Farmer's boy Louis Oosthuizen flung down the gauntlet to overnight leader Rory McIlroy at the British Open on Friday and then watched as Mother Nature rallied to his cause.

The 27-year-old South African, from the Western Cape coastal town of Mossel Bay, started the second round in second place at seven-under par, two behind the hotshot young Ulsterman.

But three birdies in a row from the fifth hole, despite heavy early morning rain, saw him move ahead as he went out in 33.

Oosthuizen followed up with four birdies against two bogeys on the back nine to come in with a 67, which gave him the overall lead in the clubhouse at 12-under par.

He was then able to sit back and watch as officials were forced to suspend play at 2:39 p.m. just as the rest of the field, including McIlroy and Tiger Woods, set off. Gusting wind was making it unplayable with balls moving on the greens.

The Oosthuizen charge at St Andrews came out of the blue, as he had failed to make the cut in his three previous Open campaigns.

But his first top-tier win at the Andalucia Open in March provided him with a much-needed confidence booster to take his game onto a higher level.

"I think the win earlier in the year in Spain got my confidence going quite a bit, and I've been playing well all year, really," said Oosthuizen, who credits South African star Ernie Els with helping him bridge the gap between a struggling farming family background to the life of a professional golfer.

"You know, it's just a matter of making crucial putts, I think, and yesterday I made a few crucial ones. Today I missed a few, but I made good ones, as well.

"I'm very confident the way I'm playing I'm hitting it well, and you know, I'm just having a lot of fun, really."

Oosthuizen's 67 was all the more remarkable in that the morning play was marked by heavy downpours that soaked the Old Course and sent spectators scurrying for cover.

In fact, the South African was the only player out in the morning to catch McIlroy.

The next best at seven under was 50-year-old 1989 Open Champion Mark Calcavecchia, who had a fine five-under 67.

England's Paul Casey did get to eight under with two holes to go, but a triple-bogey seven at the 17th Road Hole pegged him back. He rebounded with a birdie at the last and settled for a second straight 69 for six under.

"To be honest, I'm not even that frustrated with what happened on 17," he said. "If you had told me I'd be in the clubhouse on six under i would have bitten your arm off especially with the conditions we had."

European number one Lee Westwood joined Casey at that mark, taking a birdie at the fifth and then parring the next 14 holes for a 71.

The English pair were one ahead of Americans Tom Lehman (68) and Ricky Barnes (71), Peter Hanson of Sweden (73), Miguel Angel Jimenez of Spain (67) and last month's US Open winner, Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland (68).

World number two Phil Mickelson struggled to a one-under 71 despite an eagle three at the fifth and at level par for the tournament he faced a long wait to see if he would make the cut.

If it was impressive play in the wet conditions from Oosthuizen, the big question was could McIlroy, taking into account the windy conditions, reproduce the stunning form he showed on Thursday when he overwhelmed the Old Course.

His nine-under par 63 was the lowest first-round score in the 150-year history of the championship and matched the best score ever recorded in a major.

The Ulsterman, looking relaxed and confident parred the first three holes before play was suspended.

He is looking to make it back-to-back major wins for Ulstermen following close-friend McDowell's breakthrough win in the US Open at Pebble Beach last month and said he was hoping for more testing conditions.

"I wouldn't mind the wind to blow a bit, just so long as it stays dry," he said after recording his best-ever score at St Andrews.

Tied on six-under after the first round were five players, including born-again John Daly, who lit up the opening day at the Home of Golf with his best display in years and the kaleidoscopic nature of his trousers.

Daly, resplendent again in a lime-green cap, black pullover and garish pink trousers, parred the first five holes before bogeying the sixth.

Woods, who was happy with his opening effort of 67, only made it to the first green before the players were called off.

The fallen American superstar is aiming to become the first player to win the Open at St Andrews three times in a row and he is also looking to record his 15th win in a major and close in on the record 18 titles held by Jack Nicklaus.