DJ opens up commanding lead at Shinnecock
What happened on day two of the US Open?
World No.1 Dustin Johnson surged to a four-shot lead courtesy of a fine Friday morning 67 at Shinnecock Hills.
The American began the day tied with Russell Henley, Ian Poulter and Scott Piercy, but he soon opened up a lead when going out in a bogey-free 33.
A bogey at his 10th hole halted progress slightly, but a further two birdies coming in allowed him to set the clubhouse target.
The round of the day belonged to England’s Tommy Fleetwood, though. The 27-year-old, who finished 4th at last year’s US Open at Erin Hills, made six birdies on the day to power through the field with a 66.
“Today felt like I played really solid,” Fleetwood said.
“At one point, it was the middle of the round, it was just keep going and try and survive whilst the rain is there and the wind picked up. Luckily enough, I caught a few birdies at the end, and 66 was very, very good.”
Late on Friday afternoon, it seemed as if Ian Poulter was going to be Johnson’s closest competitor. The Englishman was playing beautifully and got within one shot of Johnson – that was until he reached the penultimate hole of the day. Standing in the middle of the fairway, Poulter fanned his approach into the greenside bunker, thinned his bunker shot over the green, chipped into the thick rough, and eventually made a triple-bogey – undoing all of his previous good work. He’d then go on to bogey the last to fall five shots adrift.
Instead, Johnson’s nearest pursuers are Charley Hoffman and Scott Piercy, who are both locked at level-par.
Lurking just behind are a bunch of class-acts and major winners. Justin Rose, Henrik Stenson and Brooks Koepka are all five shots behind, while Rickie Fowler posted a 69 to trail by six shots.
Former champions Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Martin Kaymer all missed the cut, as did Jon Rahm, Sergio Garcia and Jason Day.
Yet Matt Parziale – the amateur who works as a fire-fighter – made the weekend after rolling in a 20-footer for birdie on his final hole. He’ll have to book a few more days off work.
It was also nice to see Scott Gregory sign for a 75 on Friday – 17 shots better than his opening round of 92.
Talking point
Dustin Johnson may seem like he hasn’t a care in the world. He doesn’t get too excited and doesn’t throw clubs when he hits a bad shot.
But that doesn’t mean he’s not a perfectionist who is constantly tweaking his equipment to get dialled in for each event he plays. Equipment Editor James Savage takes a closer look…
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Best quote
With the lowest round of the championship so far, @TommyFleetwood1 is feeling good heading into the weekend! #USOpen pic.twitter.com/74JIAEmxOH
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 15, 2018
Best moments
.@hoffman_charley joins Dustin Johnson in red numbers. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/pNDK4wxpYj
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 15, 2018
Rickie birdied. Then he bogeyed. Then he birdied again. Stop messing with our emotions, @RickieFowler. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/QnkkKc8rBh
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 15, 2018
Hey DJ, it's me, Ian. You want to play together tomorrow afternoon? #USOpen pic.twitter.com/WWJQ6NxCUP
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 15, 2018
Somebody call 9-1-1. Parziale burning on the dance floor. The ?? and reigning #USMidAm champion from Brockton, Mass., birdies 18 to finish 7 under! #USOpen pic.twitter.com/XoIcAmXnmI
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 15, 2018
One way to get back into contention in the #USOpen? Two eagles in one round is a start. @JimmyWalkerPGA from a fairway bunker ☑️ pic.twitter.com/8cpjOx7aun
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 15, 2018
With a birdie at the turn, @JustinRose99 is moving up the leader board! #USOpen pic.twitter.com/phaSjmSBFG
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 15, 2018
Dynamite couple shots here by @JimmyWalkerPGA. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/1HmemZZkqM
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 15, 2018
Even if it turns out to not be enough to get to the weekend, @TigerWoods ended Friday on a strong note. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/aAHPPFa9o1
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 15, 2018
Another birdie ☑️
A 66 ☑️@TommyFleetwood1 finished fourth in last year's #USOpen. We have a feeling he wasn't satisfied. pic.twitter.com/IM5Gm5KoDF— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 15, 2018
That #FridayFeeling when you've made your fourth birdie and lead the #USOpen by 3.
Live scoring: https://t.co/6NZAT5cq9q pic.twitter.com/goJKkQQygM
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 15, 2018
Birdie count: ????? #USOpen pic.twitter.com/lYZiFiXTaD
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 15, 2018
Keep the birdies coming! #USOpen pic.twitter.com/0brVLQpuyS
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 15, 2018
All aboard the birdie ?! @TommyFleetwood1 is coming down the tracks! #USOpen pic.twitter.com/7Q0gnnFxGo
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 15, 2018
2016 #USOpen champion Dustin Johnson ties Russell Henley at the top of the leader board once again with this birdie putt. pic.twitter.com/EWwCqR4Xj8
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 15, 2018
Tiger starts Round 2 with a ? on No. 10, thanks to this nifty approach shot. #USOpen
Watch live: https://t.co/JJ7GuylAzg pic.twitter.com/S5at873h1r
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 15, 2018
Best Tweets
From an unnamed US Open participant. “Maybe they call it Shinnecock b/c of the 3 different rough cuts. Rough to your Shin, rough to your knee and rough to your c@ck”
— Aron Price (@aronpricePGA) June 15, 2018
As well as managing the course setup for this week's #usopen, dear Mike Davis also has the responsibility of setting up the pitch for tomorrow's football match between Spain and Portugal. Majestic. pic.twitter.com/WoHD1i3RQc
— Tweeter Alliss (@TweeterAlliss) June 14, 2018
Best stats
If DJ leads at the end of the day, it will be his 7th round led or co-led in the U.S. Open. Over the last 20 years, only Tiger (11) and Goosen (8) will have more.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) June 15, 2018
Dustin Johnson would be the third sitting world no. 1 to hold the 36-hole lead outright at the U.S. Open (OWGR began in 1986). Tiger Woods did it twice and won wire-to-wire in each instance (2000, 2002).
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) June 15, 2018
Final US Open leaderboard
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Tom Irwin
Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.
