Day one co-leaders still in contention
Temperatures soared into the 90’s at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club in North Carolina, America where the world’s best golfers played the second round of the prestigeous US Open (13-16 June). And, rather surprisingly, the midway leader is a player from Sweden. His name is Ludvig Aberg and he shot a round of 1-under par 69 on Friday which gives the lanky 24-year old talent a 5-under par total of 135. Aberg, who is playing in his first US Open, now leads by one shot.
Indeed, first day co-leaders, Rory McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay, had a rather cautious round on Friday. American Cantlay carded a 1-over par 72 and now lies in a tie for second place on 4-under par 136 with fellow-countryman Bryson DeChambeau and Belgium’s Thomas Detry. DeChambeau won the 2020 US Open and became runner-up to Xander Schauffele in the PGA Championship last month.
Belgian’s Thomas Detry, who tied for an impressive fourth in the PGA Championship, came in with a 3-under par 67.
Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy could not produce the same wizardry as day one but even so his 2-over par round of 72 keeps him alive and kicking in the US Open. He is just two shots off the lead in a tie for fifth spot on 3-under par along with America’s Tony Finau and Matthieu Pavon. The Frenchman was one of 22 players to post a sub-par round on day two with a 1-under par.
Defending champion Wyndham Clark (USA) finished his second round by taking, alas, three too many shots over the last four holes, however, the 30-year old from Denver luckily just made the cut at 4-over par 144.
Other past champions to make it through to the weekend are Brooks Koepka (USA), Martin Kaymer (Germany), Jordan Spieth (USA), Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), Bryson DeChambeau (USA) and Matt Fitzpatrick (England).
Ace golfers
There were two holes-in-one on Friday at Pinehurst Resort & CC. Indeed, Sepp Straka, the 31-year old Austrian holed the 52nd hole-in-one in the US Open at the 194-yard 9th hole with a 7-iron. A few hours later, Italy’s Francesco Molinari, the 2018 Open Champion, aced the same hole to transform his 7-over par score to 5-over and so make the weekend cut.
In all, 71 professionals and three amateurs made the cut which came at 5-over par. The proud amateurs are Neal Shipley, Gunner Broin and Luke Clanton. Alas, we had to say farewell to some big names too.
Bye, bye Woods and Rose
Sadly Major winners such as Tiger Woods and Justin Rose will not be playing at the weekend. These are just two of the big names that have packed their golf bags and flown home. The 15-times Major winner Tiger Woods shot two rounds to miss the cut by two. Meanwhile, Englishman Justin Rose, who won the 2013 US Open, missed the cut at Pinehurst Resort & CC by one tiny stroke. Even America’s great Phil Mickelson, who has won six Majors in his career, said an early goodbye after shooting way too many to survive the weekend. That’s golf!
On a brighter note, Saturday is always called ‘moving day’. Simply because the field is more or less halved and all the players can just play for glory! Enjoy the third day of the US Open at Pinehurst Resort & Country Club – it could be pretty breathtaking!
Wendy Hoad
Editor
MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: Play hots-up in the 2024 US Open.