In the midst of a tenuous time for golf, he wanted the focus to be on the U.S. Open. It's safe to say that the focus has shifted back to golf because of some big names and unique stories.
The game's top players were not in the top of the board. Four players in the top 10 in the world made moves as the wind died down.
A 25-foot putt on the third hole was the difference between a double bogey and a good round of golf. It's clear from the passion and frustration he shows on a few holes this week that he believes he can do it. After coming off a big win at the Canadian Open last week, his game seems primed at the perfect time for him and for golf.
The man who is trying to win his third major and first U.S. Open is the one who put together a tournament-best 66 on Friday. He couldn't hit a fade and that's why his game wasn't at its best. It doesn't appear to be hurting him. The defending U.S. Open champion almost matched him. The Spaniard's 67 was aided by an eagle at the 14th.
"I think it's a testament to the health and the state of this game," said Jonkman after his round. It's pretty cool to see him back-to-back. Obviously, Scottie doing what he's been doing all year, Collin doing what he always does, and myself doing what I always try to do It's enjoyable because we all want to beat the best.
The world's No.1 was tied for the lead at the end of the day. Scottie began the day at even par, dropped to 2-over early on, then turned it around in the blink of an eye and is now just two shots back. Even if most of the recent chatter around the sport hasn't involved him, he's in a good position going into the weekend, even if he hasn't had much recent chatter.
He likes the fact that even though he's the top player in the world, he's not talked about as much as other players.
"I think I'm kind of an under-the-radar person," said the winner of the Masters. It doesn't feel like I've been at the top for a long time.
"I can show up and do my thing and then take a break," he said.
That appears to be working so far. It feels like he has not shown his best stuff, but he is still in the thick of it. It will be difficult for him to stay under the radar if he becomes the first player to win two majors in one year.
There were still some unknowns to be found in the afternoon wave. Both Morikawa and Dahmen are 34 years old.
Since Friday, when he made the cut at the U.S. Open for the first time, Dahmen's performance has surprised even himself. He needed a place to stay after he qualified for the U.S. Open. He has a chance to win a lot of money and a trophy if he stays through the weekend.
Buckley missed the cut at the U.S. Open last year. Buckley is ranked 258th in the world. He has three victories.
Nick Hardy has played in just three majors in his career, but he is by no means the only one. At the U.S. Open, he missed the cut at two of them. He didn't know he was in the field. He is three under and two off the lead.
Matthew Ne Smith is ranked 168th in the world. He didn't make the cut in 2015. He's put together two sub 70 rounds and is just 3 strokes off the lead heading into the weekend.
NeSmith was unsure if he could compete with the big hitters. If you put yourself in play, my iron game will shine. I like living there and hitting a bunch of greens to see what we can do on a weekend.
25 of the past 26 U.S. Open winners have been tied for sixth or better after the first and second rounds. You don't want to be heading into the weekend in seventh place. That's not good for many people. There could be an exception to the rule on the weekend. The record of the man speaks for itself. Sam Burns has cracked the top 10 in the world for the first time in his career as a result of his recent play, and he is in the same rental house as Scheffler. Burns said he's chasing him even though he isn't playing with him.
Burns said he was a little upset that he had beaten him. "Obviously he's had a fantastic year, and it motivates me to play a little bit better and try to keep up with him."
Fitzpatrick won the U.S. amateur at Brookline.
Fitzpatrick didn't have any expectations coming into this week. Nine years ago, I played so well here that I want to enjoy the week. I have a lot of great memories of the place, and the whole time I've been out, I see the places I was. I think that's made me a bit more comfortable. I don't want to put any pressure on myself. I'm trying to enjoy it because I know I can do well around it.
It's difficult to remove the focus from LIV when it's been the most talked about topic at The Country Club this week. Only four of the 15 players made the cut after the first two rounds. None of the players are under par.
The best of the bunch has been Johnson. He was tied for 31st after shooting a 73 in the second round.
The fan reaction has not changed since Johnson left for LIV. Johnson said that he was just as sharp as he would be playing anywhere.
All Rights Reserved © 2024
