DeChambeau grabs clubhouse lead as Winged Foot bares teeth
Reuters
Published Sep 18, 2020 09:54AM ET
Updated Sep 18, 2020 02:11PM ET
MAMARONECK, N.Y. (Reuters) - Bryson DeChambeau ground his way around a much tougher Winged Foot course and enjoyed a closing eagle to grab the second-round U.S. Open clubhouse lead on Friday as windier conditions humbled many of the game's top golfers.
DeChambeau drained a six-foot eagle putt at his final hole, the par-five ninth, for a two-under 68 that brought him to three under for the week before overnight leader Justin Thomas (five under) began his second round.
"I feel like I drove it pretty well considering the windy conditions," said DeChambeau. "It's super tough to hit fairways here but I did it when I needed it most and was able to capitalise when I hit it in the fairway."
Unlike in Thursday's opening round when 21 players finished under par in soft and gentle conditions, Winged Foot was a much sterner test on Friday as DeChambeau and Bubba Watson (69) were the only players from the morning wave to break par.
The closing eagle by DeChambeau, whose best finish in a major came at this year's PGA Championship where he finished in a share of fourth place, capped a roller-coaster round that also included five bogeys and five birdies.
Spain's Rafa Cabrera Bello (70), who has never finished inside the top 30 at the U.S. Open, birdied three of his final four holes and was in the clubhouse one shot behind DeChambeau.
"Well, clearly the wind has picked up significantly. That has made it really hard," said Cabrera Bello. "This course, if you don't find the fairways you're playing -- I don't know, like the most difference that you can ever play."
Former Masters champion Patrick Reed, who was a shot back of Thomas after the first round, and four-times major winner Rory McIlroy, who was two behind, were among the late starters.
Tiger Woods, who came into this week seeking a record-setting 83rd PGA Tour victory, was three over to start the day and one shot inside the projected four-over-par cut line.
PGA Tour Player of the Year and world number one Dustin Johnson (70) was sitting one shot inside the projected cut line after mixing two birdies with two bogeys, while defending champion Gary Woodland (74) was eight over on the week.
Get The News You Want
Written By: Reuters
Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.