Hideki Matsuyama and Paul Casey shone on day two as Erin Hills bit back, with the world’s top three golfers all sent home. WADE PRETORIUS runs through the best and worst parts of Friday at the US Open.
Birdie: Matsuyama and Casey show them how it’s done
England’s Paul Casey is in a four-way tie for the lead after surviving an eight on Friday. He still broke par to become the first person in the last 25 years to have a ‘snowman’ on his card and still going under par. Now he has his first Major in his sight and overcoming that big score could be the mental boost needed to get over the line.
Matsuyama performed a reverse Fowler (see Bogey runner-up) and did it in fine style. He almost shot a 64 after missing his birdie attempt on 18, but he would’ve slept well knowing that he’s right where he needs to be after 36 holes. His post-round numbers were impressive, to say the least – T6 in driving, T13 in greens in regulation and T4 in putts. If he produces that kind of consistency he will be almost impossible to beat on Sunday.
Runner-up: The USGA for setting up the course to provide an even better spectacle
Par: Sergio’s not done yet
The Masters champion has come through 36 holes fairly under the radar if you don’t include the eagle he made on the first on Thursday. A 71 on Friday followed his 70 and that doesn’t sound like much, but … his confidence is sky-high and he’s only four shots off the lead, so he’ll be eyeing a big move from deep in the field on Saturday. His putting has vastly improved and there’s every chance that he could be in one of the final groups on Sunday. Making it 2 from 2 is not out of the equation at the halfway mark, and that’s exactly where he would’ve wanted to be.
Runner-up: A 72 after his late stumble on Thursday means Ernie Els has got a shot at a top 10
Bogey: The world’s best
For the first time since the world rankings began in 1986, the top three will not feature on the weekend at the US Open. Erin Hills is playing as the longest venue in the event’s history and featured some really generous fairways, set up for the likes of Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy and Jason Day. Also suiting the likes of Justin Rose, Adam Scott and Henrik Stenson.
All six won’t be around this weekend for a variety of reasons – Johnson blamed his struggles on his putter, Day put his down rather curiously to having too wide a target to aim at, while McIlroy’s decision to put a new putter into play without any tournament practice will go down as a failed move for sure.
Runner-up: Rickie Fowler for going 65 then 73 on a day when he needed to put distance between himself and the field
Photo: Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
