Casey, Fleetwood lead way in US Open drama
Britain’s Paul Casey and Tommy Fleetwood are among the joint leaders after day two of the US Open at Erin Hills – both in contention for a first major title.
But former champion Rory McIlroy missed the cut for the second year running.
Casey recovered from a triple-bogey on his fifth hole of the day to add a 71 to his opening 66 and set the clubhouse target on seven under.
Casey’s opening 66 had left him a shot off the pace and he swiftly made a birdie from close range on the 11th, his second hole of the day, only to bogey the next and run up a triple-bogey on the 14th.
The 39-year-old was only able to move his fourth shot a matter of inches in heavy rough over the back of the green on the par five, before hacking out sideways and taking three putts from just off the green.
However, after dropping another shot on the 15th, Casey regained his composure superbly to birdie the 17th and 18th, the latter being the second longest hole in major history at 676 yards.
And the former Ryder Cup player then made it five birdies in succession – just one short of the US Open record equalled by Adam Hadwin on Thursday – by picking up shots on the first, second and third.
“It feels good,” said the 39-year-old, who has recorded three consecutive top-six finishes in the Masters, but whose sole top-10 finish in 13 US Open appearances came at Oakmont a decade ago. “Not every day you enjoy a round of golf with an eight on the card, but I’m a pretty happy man.
“It was a good display, all my own fault, of what can happen if you get out of position on this golf course. Even just trying to take my medicine is very, very difficult. It’s a good eight in the end.
“I lost a bit of skin out there. I got out of position, but it’s the attitude, it’s the grit that matters at the end of the week.
“I had been swinging it well and it felt really, really good a couple holes later to be picking the ball out of the hole for a birdie.
“Then clawed all the way back and actually picked up one more to the good by the time we were finished.”
Asked if he would have been able to recover from such a mistake earlier in his career, Casey added: “In my good seasons, yes, but there have been times when I struggled, so probably not!
“I was upset with the score I had made, but it did not have any effect on my attitude or how I was going to then approach the rest of the round or the next shot.
“Part of that is just age and part I’ll give credit to Johnny McLaren (his caddie), credit to my wife and my little boy.”
Fleetwood had four birdies, including an excellent four at the 18th, and two bogeys in another impressive round of 70, adding to his 67.
The two high-flying Brits were joined on seven under by Brooks Koepka and Mark Harman, who matched Fleetwood with 70s.
First-round leader Rickie Fowler posted a one-over par 73, dropping to six under par. He missed a chance for birdie at the last to draw level with the leaders. Amateur Cameron Champe carded a 69 to sit on five under in joint eighth place.
Masters champion Sergio Garcia is on three under after a 71, while English cult hero Andrew Johnston fired a 73, following an opening 69, to sit on two under par.
Matt Fitzpatrick guaranteed his return for the weekend with a 73 for one under.
Although McIlroy recorded a 71, thanks to four birdies in his last six holes, the damage had already been done by his opening 78, when a record 44 players had broken par in the benign conditions.
“I showed up for the last six holes at least,” joked McIlroy, who was three over par after 12 holes before carding birdies on the fourth, fifth, seventh and ninth.
“I saw some positives on the back nine to take into next week and, even though this is disappointing, the last two rounds will serve me well in this busy summer.”
Former world No 1 Jason Day also missed the cut.