Six talking points after the second round of the US Open at Pebble Beach, from JOHN GOLIATH.
Pars not enough for Tiger
In 2018 at Shinnecock Hills, 14 successive pars would have put Tiger Woods right in the mix and contending for the US Open. He hung around on the final day at Augusta, too, where his competitors faltered before his late birdie run sealed the deal. But unfortunately it’s just not good enough to keep up with the pace at Pebble Beach, as he could only come up with one birdie in the second round. He had his chances, but his putter was ice-cold.
Putting at Pebble
Justin Rose and surprise leader Gary Woodland, unlike Woods, have put on a putting clinic in the first two rounds. Woodland kept a bogey off his card with a brilliant 15-foot par putt on the 8th hole, while he also drained 50-foot birdie putt on the 9th. Rose has been Mr Consistent with the putter, but would be miffed by his two bogeys on Friday.
Oh Rickie, why do you keep breaking our hearts?
Fowler was absolutely sublime in the first round, with a stunning opening 66 putting him right in the mix to win his first Major. It’s something most fans around the world want golf’s Mr Nice Guy to achieve. However, another meltdown in round two (and this was a proper one …) had him just making the cut after a 6-over par round on Friday. Sigh …
On the rollercoaster with King Louis!
Following Oosthuizen’s second round was like being at heavy-metal rock concert. His opening nine was all action. ‘Par for what? For who?’ went through my mind, as he made four bogeys and four birdies in his opening eight holes, before his first par at No 9. The back nine was a bit more sedate – with four birdies and three bogeys. Ooshuizen is three behind, the perfect position for a weekend chase.
Grace must come back another day
Only three of the nine South Africans who teed up at Pebble Beach will be playing the weekend after Oosthuizen, Erik van Rooyen and Justin Walters survived the cut. However, it was another disappointing outing for Grace, whose quest for a first Major continues. A double-bogey on the par-5 14th ruined his chances of making the cut, even though he finished with back-to-back birdies.
Van Rooyen enjoying himself at the top
After finishing T8 at the PGA Championship, Erik managed to make the cut this week. This on the back of his good performance at last year’s Open Championship, which suggests that he loves the big stage. When you make the cut on the number you can go out and play with a bit of freedom in the third round. He can go low over the weekend.
Photo: Christian Petersen/Getty Images
