Former British Open champion Mark Calcavecchia was unable to participate in this year's event because of an issue with American Airlines. His flight couldn't get to Hoylake in time for the practice round so he was replaced by David Hearn, who is currently two strokes under par in the tournament.
Previous winners of major championships are invited back to play in the tournament each year until they're 60 years old. That was the case with Mark Calcavecchia who won the British Open in 1989 when he was 29 years old. But American Airlines spoiled Calcavecchia's annual reunion with the event, and Canadian David Hearn was notified that he would be replacing the former champion on Tuesday. The tournament began on Thursday.
Glad to see @davidhearn got my spot! Great kid from Canada. Another place I love!! Play great David!
— Mark Calcavecchia (@MarkCalc) July 15, 2014
Hearn recorded a 70 after the tournament's first round yesterday and put himself in a good position to make the cut. It also didn't hurt that he teed off with past Open Championship winners Nick Faldo and Todd Hamilton at the event at Royal Liverpool Golf Club, which is located in the small town of Hoylake in Cheshire, England. The 35-year-old Hearn is ranked 100th in the world with an average score of 70.878. The projected cut for the Open is at two-over par right now, so if he can keep it together today he'll likely play through the weekend.
Rory McIlroy is currently leading the tournament at seven-under par after shooting a 66 yesterday and recording one birdie and six pars through his first seven holes today. Segio Garcia trails McIlroy by one stroke as he is two-under par through his first ten holes today after shooting a 68 yesterday. Tiger Woods was three-under yesterday, but is +3 through his first nine holes today to make him even for the tournament. Last year's winner Phil Mickelson shot a 70 today to also make himself even after two rounds.
UPDATE: David Hearn is -1 through his first five holes today, which puts him at -3 for the Open Championship. He's currently tied for 14th wit with Yoshinobu Tsukada (Japan), Adam Scott (Australia), and Matteo Manassero (Italy).
You can read more about David Hearn and the Open Championship on ESPN's leaderboard.
