Rickie Fowler US Open dream still alive after keeping second round lead

Rickie Fowler did his hopes of a first major title no harm in the second round of the US Open, carding a two-under 68 to equal the championship’s 36-hole scoring record.

Despite rolling in eight birdie putts, the man from Murrieta also made six bogeys on an extraordinary scorecard that featured just four pars at Los Angeles Country Club.

Starting with three consecutive birdies, Fowler reached 11-under quicker than any other player had done in the history of the event and his half-way mark of 10-under gives him a one-shot lead over Wyndham Clark.

“I sure hope everyone can relate to struggles because everyone deals with them,” Fowler, who is winless on the PGA Tour since 2019 and last year almost dropped out of the world’s top 200, said.

“No one’s perfect. I think you’d be lying if you haven’t been through a tough time, especially if you play golf.

“It was great being able to walk up 18, especially after hitting a good drive and hitting it on the green. Didn’t have a whole lot to worry about. The fans have been great here.

Rickie “Birdie” Fowler gets another one. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/1NEQgHZUaj
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 17, 2023

Also: 2023 US Open golf field

“I’m looking forward to the weekend. It’s been a while since I’ve felt this good in a tournament, let alone a major. It’s going to be a challenge, but I’m definitely looking forward to it.”

Clark had set the clubhouse target of 9-under before Fowler and his 8-under 62 shooting friend Xander Schauffele hit their first tee shots on the North Course yesterday. Schauffele only managed a round of level-par.

Rory McIlroy fans will largely be delighted with the 34-year-old’s 67 on Friday as he remains in the hunt for his fifth major trophy and his first in golf’s big four tournaments since 2014.

The Northern Irishman struggled on his front nine, but six birdies after the turn leave him very well placed for a weekend charge.

“Obviously at least for me, there’s quite a scoring discrepancy from the front nine to the back nine,” he said. “The front nine gives you some scoring opportunities and some wedges in your hand, a couple of par-5s.

“The back nine is just a lot tougher. Those last three holes, 16, 17, 18, are playing tough even if it is pretty benign conditions out there.

“It feels like a golf course where you try to make your score on the front and then try to hang on on the back.”

Dustin Johnson overcome a damaging quadruple bogey on the second hole and battled back with five birdies to reach 6-under for the championship.

The two-time LIV Golf winner is also a two-time major winner and remains in contention in California, as do Scottie Scheffler and Cameron Smith who are respectively one and two shots further back of DJ.

Improved rounds from Europe’s Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton and Shane Lowry saw them heading into the weekend at LACC, while former US Open champion Jon Rahm made the cut on the line of 2-over-par – despite making four bogeys in his second nine.

But major champions Phil Mickelson, Jordan Spieth, Justin Rose and Adam Scott all missed the weekend, as did Max Homa and Justin Thomas in such disappointing fashion with rounds of 76 and 81.

US Open – Second Round Leaderboard:

-10 R Fowler
-9 W Clark
-8 X Schauffele, R McIlroy
-7 H English
-6 D Johnson, M W Lee
-5 S Bennett, S Scheffler
-4 C Smith
-3 T Finau

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Matt Chivers

Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.

Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.

Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.

Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.

Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.

What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.