Brit Bland big surprise in Round 2
Keeping an eye on the third major of the golf season
The U.S. Open prides itself on being the most democratic of majors with some 9,000 players from all walks of golf having a chance to compete.
Richard Bland is an example of that.
Just over a month ago, the 48-year-old from England was 0-for-447 in his European Tour career. On Friday, he shot a 4-under 67 and walked off the South course at Torrey Pines in San Diego with his name atop the leaderboard in the U.S. Open.
“A lot of guys have a lot more on the CV than I do,” Bland said. “But I’m here to compete and give it everything I’ve got.”
Bland was at 5-under 137, one shot ahead of Louis Oosthuizen, setting a target for the likes of Brooks Koepka and Xander Schauffele to chase in the afternoon.
This is only his fourth major — twice at Royal Birkdale in 1998 and 2017, once at Bethpage Black for the U.S. Open — and he came in on a high note.
Bland won the British Masters last month in his 478th start, making him the oldest first-time winner in European Tour history.
“I was feeling pretty good about my game,” Bland said.
Oosthuizen, coming off a runner-up finish in the PGA Championship, finished with two pars in the morning to cap off a 67 to share the first-round lead with Russell Henley. He didn’t get any lower in the second round and shot 71, but was right in the mix.
Henley played in the afternoon.
Jon Rahm held it together during a rough patch in the thick grass, holed out from a bunker right of the 14th green for an unlikely birdie and shot 70. He was two shots behind Bland.
Bubba Watson shot 67 and joined Rahm at 3-under 139.
Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy were headed the wrong direction. Johnson, who missed the cut in the Masters and PGA Championship, dropped to 4 over until a late rally gave him a 73 and a spot in the weekend. He was seven behind. McIlroy had to birdie two holes down the stretch for a 73. He was six behind.