JOHNSON, BIG GUNS OUT AS US OPEN UP FOR GRABS
ERIN, United States: World No.1 Dustin Johnson led an unprecedented exodus of big guns at the 117th US Open on Friday (Saturday in Manila) as four players grabbed a share of the lead at the halfway stage.
American favorite Johnson crashed out after he could only card a oneover-par 73, which left him four over for the tournament at the sprawling Erin Hills course in rural Wisconsin.
Johnson’s exit came after world No.2 Rory McIlroy and world No.3 Jason Day also missed the cut after disappointing rounds.
- ings system was launched in April 1989 that the world’s top three play round of a major.
Johnson, who had bullishly expected to do well on a course he believed to be perfectly suited to his game, admitted he was surprised to be out after only 36 holes.
“I felt this is a golf course sets up really well for me, especially if I’m driv
With Johnson, McIlroy and Day all eyes will be on a clustered leaderboard which is dominated by players who have never won a major.
England’s Paul Casey and compatriot Tommy Fleetwood were bunched on seven under alongside Harman at the top.
Behind the leading quartet, a logjam grouped eight players within two shots of the lead.
J.B. Holmes featured in a three-way tie at six under.
- included amateur Cameron Champ.
Matsuyama, who had struggled in the opening round with a two-over-par 74, produced an electrifying second round seven-under-par 65 to thrust himself
“I’m very excited and very happy “There were a couple of loose swings out there, but when you shoot 65, you
American Chez Reavie also scored 65 on a day when Erin Hills failed for the most part to bare its fangs.
With the past six majors going to players who have never won a major before, there is a good chance that
Casey fightback
leading group after recovering from an early implosion that sent him plunging down the leaderboard.
Casey, who had shot a six-under-par disastrous triple-bogey eight on the 14th after teeing off on the 10th hole.
However the 39- year- old world number 14 unfurled a sequence of seven under.
“Not every day you enjoy a round of golf with an eight on the card, but I’m a
But while Casey was relieved after drawing board for McIlroy and Day after their disappointing exits.
into contention after his opening 79 carded a three-over-par 75, leaving him 10 over.
“I was in the hay too much over the
“It’s been the best preparation going - ing what I needed to do to prep for a
McIlroy meanwhile—who earlier - second-round 71.
was not enough to turnaround an erratic round littered with errors and missed opportunities.
McIlroy however, who is returning face on his second consecutive missed cut at a US Open following his exit at the halfway stage in 2016.
“I’m optimistic with where my a lot of the bad stuff out of my system yesterday and some parts today. It’s just a matter of getting competitive rounds under my belt.
“I’ve got a busy summer, so I’m contention and hopefully try to win