USOPEN2017 Casey has a fun time in lead role
PAUL CASEY was having fun again in superbly seizing the clubhouse lead at the US Open but Rory McIlroy was preparing to clear out his locker after a dismal showing here.
Casey, who went into the second round sharing second place, battled back from an eight early in his round to then birdie five holes in succession from his eighth hole.
His round of 71 moved him to seven under par in bright, warm but windy conditions to the north-west of Milwaukee.
The World No14 ended his round not long before first-round leader Rickie Fowler was due to tee off.
Casey, in his 14th US Open, spoke about how his round of 66 on the first day was the best fun he had ever had at a US Open and it was a similar story yesterday.
Casey said: “It feels really good and it is not every day you enjoy a round of golf with an eight on the card.
“It was a bit of a rollercoaster round but if you can get through any Major with a hiccup like I had you have to be delighted, and I am.”
McIlroy, clearly lacking a competitive edge after a second injury this season, stumbled his way to scores of 78 and 71 for a five-over tally that saw him end his round yesterday morning here sharing 115th place.
The World No2 was three over after 12 holes and to his credit birdied four of his closing six, but three quick
bogeys in a row from his 10th hole hit him hard.
In fairness, it was a better driving display from McIlroy. He had hit just five of 14 fairways on day one and by the turn yesterday he had matched that figure.
Overall, McIlroy hit 10 of 14 fairways but clearly it was his second shot that was the root cause of his poor showing.
McIlroy said: “I showed up for the last six holes, anyway. I definitely hit the ball a bit better off the tee.
“But at the end of the day it is competitive golf rounds and getting a card in my hand – that I have been missing.”
There were no such concerns for Andrew ‘Beef’ Johnston, who booked his place for the weekend thanks in part to four peanut and jelly sandwiches he consumed en route to a 73 to be inside the top 30 at two under par.
Johnston had been up early for his 7.18am tee time but forgot to stock up on sustenance, so his manager grabbed four sandwiches from the players’ lounge and met Johnston on the 10th tee.
“I just forgot a few sandwiches before I went to the first tee so I asked Sean my manager to meet me at 10 but I was not expecting four,” said Johnston, smiling. “I had breakfast but it is a long walk out there and I just wanted to make sure I had enough food in the bag. I love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, just love them.
“But I only ate one of them as I had a banana, as well!”
Danny Willett’s miserable run since his Masters win last year continued when a back injury forced him out before tee-off.
Willett, who shot the highest score of 81 on day one, was clearly in some discomfort on the range ahead of his tee-off before advising officials.
It is the second successive occasion in America that Willett has pulled out after a back injury also meant he missed the Players Championship last month.