An 11-year-old golf course shaped from Wisconsin pastureland was sure to bring something different to the US Open. This might have been more than anyone was expecting.
The four players tied for the lead — Paul Casey, Brooks Koepka, Brian Harman and Tommy Fleetwood — created the largest 36-hole logjam in 43 years at the US Open. None has ever won a major, nor have the next 14 players.
On the longest course ever for a major, the US Open cut was the lowest since 1990.
Photo: AFP
And for all the birdies and blunders at Erin Hills, the most compelling image on Friday came from the parking lot, where one star after another left town after missing the cut.
Dustin Johnson. Rory McIlroy. Jason Day.
It was the first time since the world ranking began in 1986 that the top three players missed the cut in any major.
Henrik Stenson. Alex Noren. Jon Rahm. Justin Rose. Adam Scott.
Eight of the top 12 players in the world will not be around for the weekend at Erin Hills, leaving a tournament as open as the land on which it was built.
Casey chopped his way to a triple-bogey, only to respond with five straight birdies that carried him to a one-under 71 and made him the first to post at seven-under 137. He set the target early under warm sunshine, and even as the wind tapered in the afternoon, no one could catch him.
Koepka had the lead until he turned a birdie chance into a bogey on the par-five first hole after making the turn. He did not make a birdie the rest of the way and had to settle for a 70.
Casey and Koepka were joined by Harman and Fleetwood, who each had a 70.
Right behind was a trio of players that included Rickie Fowler, who went 28 holes before making his first bogey and then went three holes without making a par. Fowler shot a 73 and was still very much in the hunt at a second straight major.
The four-way tie was the most after two rounds in a US Open since Winged Foot in 1974, back when the names were more familiar for a major — Raymond Floyd, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Hale Irwin, who went on to win his first major.
The past six majors have been won by first-timers, and that cycle has a good chance to continue.
The top 18 players on the leaderboard going into the weekend have combined for zero majors. Only a half-dozen of them have even experienced Sunday contention in golf’s biggest events.
“Tomorrow will be a very cool experience,” Fleetwood said. “It’s still Saturday — 36 holes is a very long time in a US Open. Anything can happen.”
Just about everything already has at Erin Hills.
A commercial blimp crashed to the ground and caught fire just outside the course on Thursday, about the time the county health department was analyzing samples that confirmed evidence of the Escherichia coli bacteria in water at a hydration station near the 12th hole.
The US Golf Association is providing complimentary bottled water for the rest of the week.
There have been no reports of anyone getting sick.
And then on Friday, a 94-year-old man at the tournament for the first time stopped breathing while in a grandstand on the sixth hole and died of what Washington County officials said appeared to be natural causes.
Next up is a weekend without most of the biggest names in golf. The cut for the top 60 and ties was at one-over 145, tying a US Open record set in 1990 at Medinah.
Johnson was hitting it so well that he appeared to be safe even when he was on the cut line. However, he then three-putted from long range on the 13th and the 14th, and lost all hope when he missed the green on the 17th while going after the flag. He shot 73 and missed the cut by three.
“I couldn’t have shot any higher,” Johnson said. “I couldn’t possibly shoot any higher than I did. I just struggled on the greens. It’s simple.”
Day never had a chance, following his career-worst 79 in a US Open with a 75.
McIlroy came to life when it was far too late. He made four birdies over the last six holes to salvage a 71, but he still missed the cut for the second straight year.
Fowler has the best chance, even though he lost so much ground over the final two hours. He went from pouring putts into the center of the cup to burning the edges, and his 39 on the back nine cost him the lead, although not his chances of breaking through for that first major.
“We’re in a good spot,” Fowler said. “Looking forward to the next two days.”
Casey discovered how little it takes to make a big number in the US Open — and at this US Open, how a recovery is never too far away.
Casey laid up in the rough, took two chops to get out of more rough behind the 14th green, and staggered away with a triple-bogey eight that might have ruined his day at Erin Hills. Moments later, he began a run of five straight birdies that put him right where he wanted to be going into the weekend.
“Not every day you enjoy a round of golf with an eight on the card, but I’m a pretty happy man,” Casey said. “Yeah, it was a bit of a roller coaster. I guess it’s rare you get through a US Open or any major without some kind of a hiccup.”
Taiwan’s Pan Cheng-tsung missed the cut with a three-over 147 total.
Additional reporting by staff writer
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely