It’s a story as old as a fourth grader, one that golf fans know well: Rory McIlroy and The Search for the Elusive Fifth Major. It is in its 10th edition, dating back to 2015 when, after winning the Open Championship and the 2014 PGA Championship, McIlroy was aiming for the career Grand Slam and a fifth major victory at Augusta.
Nearly a decade later, he’s still searching for both. Of course, that was the story again today as he entered the second round of the US Open with a share of the lead. McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay each posted a 5-under 65 on Thursday to take a one-shot lead into the field.
McIlroy, like many others in Friday’s first wave, simply held on. He finished with a 2-over 72, thanks to a late bogey that kept him two shots out of the lead as he hit the clubhouse.
Although McIlroy stumbled a bit, Thomas Detry was blocked. He quickly tied Cantlay at 5 under after making the turn thanks to a huge day of putting, then briefly took a solo lead on his back nine. Bryson DeChambeau also remained in the mix after a roller coaster start. He stuck his approach at the 18th just short of the cup for a final birdie, which brought him to 4 under for the week.
As the afternoon gets underway, Ludvig Åberg and Matthieu Pavon enter the fray. Åberg also tied Cantlay for the lead at 6 under on his front nine. And, of course, who will make or miss the cut is part of the conversation. Scottie Scheffler, who has been nothing short of dominant all season, is contemplating his first missed cut in 672 days. Tiger Woods is right on the bubble.
Oh, and Sepp Straka made the first hole-in-one of the week at Pinehurst Friday morning.
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Second best shot of the day
Shot of the day goes to Sepp Straka, who had a hole-in-one earlier in the day. Second best… let’s give it to Sahith Theegala, who produced this birdie gem:
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Updating the cut line
Currently, the limit is at +3, where 61 players sit. With the cut set at top 60 and tied, if two players slip a shot, that takes it to +4, which would be huge for guys like Wyndham Clark, Keegan Bradley and, perhaps, Tiger Woods.
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Ludvig Aberg definitely takes the lead… for a few seconds
It’s another birdie for the 24-year-old Swede. He made a 10-foot birdie at the par-5 fifth to take the lead…it lasted a whole minute.
Because ahead at No. 6, Patrick Cantlay drained a 21-footer at par 3 to find himself at 6 under.
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We have a three-way tie for the lead
Frenchman Matthieu Pavon climbed to the top of the rankings, tied with Patrick Cantlay and Ludvig Aberg, thanks to two birdies on his first two holes. Quite a debut for the 31-year-old.
Before this season, he had never reached a major tournament in four previous starts. He finished T12 at the Masters in April, missed the cut at the PGA in May and now T1 at the US Open
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And…Tiger gives it back
It’s a bogey for Tiger at No. 5, which is tough considering it’s one of only two par 5s on the course. At +4, he is one shot away from the current cut line.
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Tiger Woods wins a shot
It’s a birdie for Tiger Woods at No. 4, putting him at 3-over for the tournament. It’s huge if Big Cat sticks around for the weekend.
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Ludvig Aberg jumps to the top
A birdie at No. 2 puts Ludvig Aberg tied at the top of the leaderboard with Patrick Cantlay. As mentioned yesterday, if you don’t know Aberg, get to know him because he will be a staple in these things.
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This quote from Rory McIlroy sums up Pinehurst #2
When asked how the course challenged players, Rory McIlroy had this to say:
“It requires a lot more thought. Even though I made a good drive on the eighth hole, I had to adjust 151 on the hole. I’m trying to make 146. I can’t make 144 because it’s not going to happen . up there. I can’t land the 148 because it’s going to go over the green.
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Scottie Scheffler sweats in the clubhouse
Friday was a difficult day for the top-ranked golfer in the world. He now risks missing the cut for the first time in what seems like forever.
More Jay Busbee on the field at Pinehurst:
Click the photo to read more about Scottie Scheffler’s tough outing Friday at Pinehurst. (AP/Matt York) -
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