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Kuchar happy to put feet up, watch rivals scrap

Southport - Matt Kuchar admitted he couldn't wait to kick back and relax watching his rivals in action after battling the conditions at Royal Birkdale on Friday.

The American, joint overnight leader alongside compatriots Jordan Spieth and Brooks Koepka on five under par, went round in 71 to drop back to four-under for the championship.

His round featured three birdies but there were four bogeys, including two in a frustrating final three holes.

Nevertheless, that has given him something to build on going into the weekend as he seeks a first major title, while Spieth, Koepka and others face up to potentially much worse conditions in the afternoon over the Southport links.

"I think that's one of the cool things over here, whether it's Thursday or Friday, whatever your morning round is, getting to go back to the room, put on the TV and watch the guys play in the afternoon, and particularly in tough conditions," said Kuchar, his cheeks reddened after being lashed by the wind all morning.

"I think that's what people enjoy about the British Open is watching the hard wind, the rain, the guys just trying to survive out there.

"Today is my day. I get to kick back in the afternoon and watch the guys just try to survive, which is pretty much all you can do."

Kuchar, who had shot a flawless opening round of 65, will feel he benefited from a favourable early tee time at 9:36 SA time with the weather expected to deteriorate later.

"Being out there in the arena is exciting. And certainly once you've done it and you get to watch, it's kind of the icing on the cake.

"I've had a couple of situations where for instance I've sat out some morning matches in the Ryder Cup, and watched it on TV.

"Just being a fan thinking, this is amazing. And to think to myself, holy cow, I'm going to go do that this afternoon, and it's a fun thought.

"At the British Open, I don't know that the guys that watched this morning get to think 'holy cow, this is going to be great. I get to go out and do this this afternoon.'

"So in my situation, having been out there and posted a nice round and now getting to watch is fun."

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