dimarco aware of daunting task

By Carl Markham, PA Sport

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American Chris DiMarco saw his Hoylake course-record 65 equalled by leader Tiger Woods and then accepted he had a tough challenge to stay on the heels of the defending champion.

The 37-year-old briefly held the clubhouse lead at nine under on the second day at Royal Liverpool but it lasted only 40 minutes until Woods upped the ante to 12 under.

It set up the prospect the pair tomorrow would reprise their play-off duel of the 2005 Masters which Woods won to secure his fourth green jacket.

That experience has left DiMarco in no doubt about how difficult it is to chase down Woods.

"Tiger at his best is hard to beat. Tiger on a course he likes at his best is really hard to beat," he said.

"All I can do is go out and try to play the best golf I can play.

"I know a year or so ago I took him right down to the wire at a course he loves at a course he was hitting fairways on.

"Anything can happen in 36 holes. But I can't expect to go out and shoot 70 the next two days and expect to do it.

"I'm going to have to put another low round out there. It is accessible - you can do it.

"But he's the greatest player in the world, no doubt, at a course he likes, at a tournament he's defending.

"He is tough to beat but it is do-able - it's been done."

DiMarco's mother Norma died just over a fortnight ago and although it hit the family hard the Ryder Cup star said not for one moment did he think about pulling out of the Open.

"I never considered not playing. Obviously if it had happened last week I would have for sure," he added.

"My mom has always been a huge supporter and she would be very upset if I didn't play. She certainly wouldn't want me to sit at home - what would I do at home? There's nothing I can do.

"I have my dad here with me. Walking between the ropes is absolutely therapeutic for me. Walking outside the ropes for him, with me playing well, is therapeutic for him.

"So far these last two days, with the whole thing of my mom being gone, has been extremely good for both of us.

"I know that usually when she came to a tournament like this she couldn't see much but I know she's got the best seat in the house now."

DiMarco also revealed he forced his father Rich to accompany him this week.

"I made him come. I told him on Friday night 'you're going to the British'. He said 'I don't know if I can'. I said 'I already bought a ticket, it's not refundable'.

"I know how much he likes money and he doesn't like to waste my money either. He wasn't going to do that."