It’s a story as old as fourth grade, one golf fans will know all too well: Rory McIlroy and the Search for the Elusive Fifth Major. After winning the 2014 Open Championship and the PGA Championship, McIlroy is aiming for a Grand Slam and a fifth major at Augusta, in his 10th edition.
Nearly a decade later, he’s still searching for both. That was the story again today as he opened the second round of the US Open with a commanding lead. McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay each shot 5-under 65s on Thursday to take a one-shot lead over the field.
McIlroy, like many in Friday’s early wave, hung in there. He finished with a 2-over 72, thanks to a bogey at the last that kept him within two shots of the lead when he hit the clubhouse.
Although McIlroy fumbled a bit, Thomas Dedry was locked up. He quickly matched Candlay at 5-under, thanks to a big day. Bryson DeChambeau was still in the mix after a roller coaster start. He stopped his approach on the 18th next to the cup for a final birdie that moved him to 4-under for the week.
Contley left at noon tide. Tiger Woods has also been on a late wave, although he will need a solid day to make the cut after a rough start. Top 60 and ties will make it to the weekend. Scotty Scheffler, who has been nothing short of dominant all season, sees his first missed cut in 672 days.
Oh, and Seb Straka pulled off his first hole-in-one of the week at Pinehurst on Friday morning.
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Detry falls again
Well, Thomas Dedry’s solo lead was short-lived. He birdied the par-3 6th, which dropped him to 5-under for the week. Patrick Cantley, who is again co-chairman.
Scotty Scheffler is sweating it out in the clubhouse
Friday was a tough one for the world’s top-ranked golfer. He is now in danger of missing the cut for the first time in what seems like forever.
More of Jay Busbee on the field at Pinehurst:
Click the photo to read more about Scottie Scheffler’s tough outing at Pinehurst on Friday. (AP/Matt York)
Tiger Woods off
Tiger Woods is off and running in Pinehurst. He starts around the projected cut line after his 4-over 74 on Thursday.
Who is Thomas Detry?
A great explainer of the new solo leader at Pinehurst.
🇧🇪 From Brussels, Belgium 🏌️♂️ Played college golf at the University of Illinois and was the 2015 Big Ten Player of the Year and 2016 Big Ten Conference Championship medalist. ⛳️ broke the world record… pic.twitter.com/OBnb8HWSqg
He left an eagle putt short, but that set up a very easy birdie appearance for Thomas Dedry on the par-5 5th. He is now the individual leader at the US Open.
Bryson finished strong
It was a big decision for Bryson DeZambe. He birdied the 18th to finish with a 1-under 69, which put him in second place entering the clubhouse.
The tide is going to blow in the afternoon, but DeChambeau is a shot back.
Scottie Scheffler is likely to miss the cut
Scotty Scheffler finished with a 4-over 74, which dropped him to 5-over for the week. It was his third straight round-over par, something that hasn’t happened since 2020.
If he can’t sneak into the weekend with the help of an afternoon wave, he’ll miss his first cut in 672 days.
Rory McIlroy is 2 back
Rory tied for 9th, so he’ll finish with a 2-over 72 today. Not great considering what he posted yesterday, but he’s within two shots of getting into the clubhouse.
Sam Bairstow’s Wild Rescue
Sam Bairstow shot a 14-over 84 to open the US Open on Thursday.
Today, he jumped 17 scenes His 3-under 67 matched the biggest improvement from Round 1 to Round 2 of a major in the last 40 years.
Scottie Scheffler doubles the par-5 and now sits at 5-over. He has not missed the cut anywhere since 2022.
Victor Hovland’s Cut Abundance
It will take a little longer, but Victor Hovland is offering a chance to make it happen over the weekend. He is now 5-over, 3-over outside the projected cutline.
Remember, top 60 and ties are cut.
Bryson is at it again
After a roller coaster start, Bryson DeCampo seems to be back on track. He has now sunk back-to-back birdie putts to get to 4-under, which puts him back in a tie with Rory McIlroy.
Bad luck for Tyrell Hutton
Tyrrell Hatton couldn’t have come much closer to the trophy with this approach. And, well…
Xander is locked up
Xander Schauffele still leads with five holes left, but he came out firing this morning at Pinehurst.
Xander Schauffele dialed in his iron game today, leading the early wave in Round 2 on a stroke-earning approach.
Schaffel already hit more greens in regulation today (9-of-13) than he had in the entire opening round (8-of-18).
