Cantlay endures after long day
DUBLIN, Ohio — Patrick Cantlay finished his long day with some of his best golf, runningoff three consecutive birdies to close out a 5-under 67 and the lead Friday in the rain-delayed Memorial. He arrived at Muirfield Village before dawn. He finished when it was time for dinner. And except for a few inevitable mistakes, he was solid in the 33 holes he faced.
“We’re out there for such a long time today that you could fall asleep at the wheel a little bit,” said Cantlay, who won the Memorial two years ago. “So being cognizant of that and checking in with yourself — are you as focused as you can be? — I think is the key.”
Cantlay was at 8-under 136 on refurbished Muirfield Village, where the rough is thicker and denser than usual and the rain that washed out nearly half of the opening round didn’t help.
Scottie Scheffler recovered from three bogeys in his opening four holes to scratch out a 71 and was at 6-under 130 among those who completed the second round. They all had long days, having to finish most of the first round in the morning and 18 holes in the afternoon, with only 30 minutes in between.
Collin Morikawa and Jon Rahm, both winners at Muirfield Village a year ago in different tournaments held in consecutive weeks, were among those who had to return Saturday morning.
Rahm was tied for the lead at 8 under through 13 holes, making a 2-foot birdie putt before darkness halted play. Morikawa was right there with him until a triple bogey on the 12th hole. The tournament should be back on track in time for the final round.
Jordan Spieth had reason to wonder if his long day would lead to a short week. He had a hard time keeping his tee shots in play, meaning hacking out and trying to save par with his wedges. He was 5 over for his opening roundwhen he fired an 8-iron into 8 feet for birdie and a 76.
He followed that with a 67 to reach 1-under 143. That was more than enough to make the cut and to at least still be in the mix.
“I needed something to stop the bleeding this morning,” Spieth said.
Spieth played with Cantlay and Bryson DeChambeau, and it didn’t lack for excitement. Cantlay was playing great. DeChambeau was bothered by a few spectators calling him, “Brooksy,” a reference to his spat with Brooks Koepka, who isn’t even at the Memorial.