England’s Richard Bland and American Russell Henley, an unlikely pair of major pace-setters, shared the lead after Friday’s second round of the US Open with South African Louis Oosthuizen one stroke adrift.
Henley, on a four-year US PGA win drought and never a top-10 Major finisher, lipped out a two-foot par putt on his final hole to fire a one-under 70 and settle for a share of the 36-hole clubhouse lead on five-under-par 137.
“I feel good about my game,” Henley said. “I’ve never been in this position before in a Major. Just feel like I’m going to learn something no matter what happens.”
Bland won his first European Tour title at last month’s British Masters after 478 starts over 25 years, becoming the tour’s oldest first-time winner at age 48.
After shooting 67 on Friday, he’s a threat to become the oldest winner in US Open history, breaking the mark of 45 set by American Hale Irwin in 1990 at Medinah.
“I’m feeling pretty good,” Bland said. “I’ve been driving the ball good for five or six weeks now, which is the cornerstone if you’re going to put a fight up for a US Open.”
Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open champion with five Major runner-up efforts since winning at St Andrews, fired 71 to share third on 138.
“Drove it nicely,” he said. “Felt like I’m putting nicely and kept it all together.”
Alongside Oosthuizen was 22-year-old American Matthew Wolff, last year’s US Open runner-up who is coming off a two-month mental health hiatus.
“Even today, after playing well yesterday, I was still like I wanted to stay in bed. I wanted to be where I was comfortable, not in the spotlight,” Wolff said.
“It’s awesome that I came out here and played well, but I think more importantly, I’m just getting closer to being more comfortable and being happy and enjoying it.”
Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson and third-ranked Jon Rahm of Spain shared fifth on 139.
World No 63 Henley started on the 10th hole, sank a six-foot birdie putt at the 18th, rolled in a clutch-par putt from 17 feet at the 6th and dropped a birdie putt from just inside seven feet at the par-three 8th to seize the lead.
But, after missing a 17-foot birdie putt at the par-five 9th, his tap-in miss left him level with near-total stranger Bland.
“I’m sure he knows nothing about me too,” Henley said.
Bland is making only his fourth career Major start after he missed cuts at the 1998 British Open and 2009 US Open and a share of 22nd at the 2017 British Open. It’s only the second American appearance for the Southampton resident.
A win would let Bland play an event he’s only seen on television – the Masters.
“There’s nothing like the back nine of a Masters,” Bland said. “If I can keep playing the way I’m playing, maybe next year I might be able to experience it.
“That would be unbelievable. That would be a dream come true.”
It’s an inspirational age-defying tale to rival that of Phil Mickelson, who won the PGA Championship last month at Kiawah Island at age 50 to become the oldest-ever Major winner.
Mickelson, trying to complete a career Grand Slam this week, shot 69 to share 30th on 144.
“I didn’t make a run today, but I’m playing well enough to make a run on the weekend,” Mickelson said.
Rahm confident
Watson birdied five of his last six holes to shoot 67.
“Just made some putts,” Watson said. “I thought I played pretty smart.”
Rahm shot 70 thanks to an eight-foot birdie putt at the par-five 18th.
“Feeling confident,” Rahm said. “I hit some beautiful shots.”
Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau shot 69 to share 13th on 142.
“If I can clean up my iron play and get a little more comfortable with the irons and drivers, I’ll have a good chance for this weekend,” DeChambeau said.
Four-time Major winner Rory McIlroy struggled to a 73 to share 21st on 143.
“I made a couple of mental errors and missed it in the wrong spots,” said McIlroy. “One-over is still in it. Still feel like I’ve got a really good chance.”
World No 1 Dustin Johnson shared 30th on 144 after a 73.
© Agence France-Presse
