Jimenez grabs 36-hole British Open lead

GULLANE, Scotland, July 19 (UPI) -- Miguel Angel Jimenez has a one-stroke lead after Friday's second round of the 142nd British Open on a day when even par was a very good score.

Jimenez had one birdie and one bogey on each side at the Muirfield Golf Club for his even-par 71 Friday and is at 3-under 139 after 36 holes.

Scores elevated as the day went one and players with early tee times, such as Tiger Woods, benefited. Woods, who had three birdies and three bogeys in his 71 Friday, is among four players tied for second at 2-under. First-round leader Zach Johnson, after a 4-over 75, is in a group of four at 1-under after a much later start.

One other player -- Ryan Moore, who shot 1-under 7 Friday -- is at even par.

Conditions at the Muirfield Golf Club began similar to Thursday -- bright, sunny skies -- and temperatures in the high 60s. But the wind, from an entirely different direction, increased in speed through the day to the point where players said it was affecting putting.

When the day started, the cut was projected to be 5-over but with course and wind conditions forcing scores up, the cut ended up at 8-over with 84 players to be on hand for the weekend.

Jimenez's round began midday, so he was off the course by the time the wind was at its worst. He posted a very consistent round with birdies at 2 and 11 and bogeys at 4 and 14.

Lee Westwood tied for the round of the day with a 3-under 68. He was 6-under through 12 but had bogeys at 13, 14 and 18. He's tied with Woods, Henrik Stenson and Dustin Johnson for second.

Stenson, despite a double bogey and two bogeys, was 1-under Friday. Dustin Johnson, whose front nine showed an eagle, a birdie and four bogeys, was 1-over in the second round.

Martin Laird (71 Friday), Angel Cabrera (72) and Rafael Cabrera-Bello (75) are tied with Zach Johnson for sixth, two strokes off the lead.

Phil Mickelson, who had a pair of double bogies, is among those at 1-over. Defending British Open champion Ernie Els, after a second consecutive 74, is 6-over and tied for 48th.

Notables missing the cut include Luke Donald (10-over), Justin Rose (10-over), Tom Watson (11-over), Rory McIlroy (12-over) and Nick Faldo (15-over).