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…and that will be today’s story as he enters the second round of the US Open with a share of the lead. He and Patrick Cantlay both shot 5-under 65s Thursday to take a one-shot lead over Ludvig Aberg.
McIlroy got going in the morning surge, but he dropped two shots after a slow front nine before getting one back after making the turn. Xander Schauffele, who won the PGA Championship last month, also made five birdies over a nine-hole stretch around the turn to get right back into contention. Bryson DeChambeau was a few shots off the lead, but it was Thomas Detry who tied Cantlay for the lead after an incredible sequence of a putt.
Cantlay will start in the afternoon wave, where he will try to maintain his lead over the peloton. Tiger Woods is also in the final heat, although he will need a good day to qualify after a difficult start. The top 60 and ties will be present this weekend.
Oh, and Sepp Straka made the first hole-in-one of the week at Pinehurst Friday morning.
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Bryson DeChambeau’s 3D printed clubs
Not only does he use 3D printed clubs, he also names them all.
Click the photo to learn more about what’s in Bryson DeChambeau’s bag this week at Pinehurst.
Click the photo to learn more about Bryson DeChambeau’s 3D printed clubs. (David Cannon/Getty Images) -
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What has happened so far…
With most of the first wave heading there, here’s where we stand:
– Xander Schauffele bounced back after two bogeys to open his round and move closer to the top of the rankings thanks to five birdies. For now, he’s got the day going.
– Rory McIlroy holds on. After dropping a few shots, he got back to 4 under, just one back.
– Scottie Scheffler always seems to be in a bad mood. He is 2-over for his round and 3-over for the tournament.
– Overall, the course plays slightly easier in the second round than in the first round. The big question: How will it go when the afternoon wave, which includes leader Patrick Cantlay, hits the course?
– The current limit (top 60 and ties) would be +3, meaning Tiger Woods (+4), Adam Scott (+4), Dustin Johnson (+4) and others have work to do. This also means that Scottie Scheffler (+3) can no longer afford to lose shots.
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Here comes Alex
The PGA champion got off to a slow start, shooting a par 70 yesterday, then bogeyed his first two holes Friday. Since that second bogey, however, he has received five – Five! – birdies to move to 3 under, just two shots from the lead.
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Golf gods make amends with Sepp
Remember when Sepp Straka pinned and then ended up with a triple bogey a few hours ago? Well, Straka got redemption:
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Welcome to the conversation Thomas Detry
While everyone scrambles to save par around No. 2 Pinehurst, German Thomas Detry plans for his day so far – 3 under through four holes. Wow.
After a round of 1-under 69, Detry moved to 4 under for the tournament and tied for second place, just behind Patrick Cantlay, who tees off later this afternoon.
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By routine for McIlroy?
Rory McIlroy made a 39-foot birdie at the par-3 17th…and promptly knocked it off the green. So how did he react? GOOD …
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Birdie for Bryson
Bryson DeChambeau had birdie opportunities early in his round, but was unable to capitalize until he drained a 25-footer at No. 6. It’s almost like stealing one.
DeChambeau brings it down to 3 under. He’ll probably be happy to stay there for the rest of the day.
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Scottie Scheffler’s tournament so far in one clip
The world No. 1 had that to save par at the 15th. And …
Scheffler is now +2 for the tour
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McIlroy returns another
That’s now two bogeys for McIlroy in his first six holes after a four at the par-3 15th.
The course is difficult, but not impossible: there are more than a dozen rounds below par. And McIlroy hit every fairway. The main thing for every player: approach. Hit a good one and you’re good. Miss it and you’ll be in trouble.
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Golf can be a cruel game
So Sepp Straka threw an absolute dart into the third green, hit the flag and… finished with a triple.
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McIlroy and DeChambeau return one
Patrick Cantlay, perhaps still sitting on a couch in his rental, regained the lead after a bogey at No. 11 (his second hole) from Rory McIlroy.
On the other side of the course, Bryson DeChambeau bogeyed No. 2 to slide to 2 under.
Pinehurst #2 plays extremely tough early. The leaders were maybe 5 under after the first round. It wouldn’t be a surprise if the main score was worse than Friday night’s.