Rickie Fowler (USA) set a new U.S. Open record for most birdies in a 36-hole event and moved one step closer to winning a major championship.
Fowler carded eight birdies and six bogeys for a 2-under 68 on the second day of the U.S. Open ($20 million purse) at the par-70 Los Angeles Country Club in Los Angeles, California, USA, on Sunday.
Fowler, who set a new U.S. Open record for lowest 18-hole score with an eight-stroke improvement on day one, has a one-stroke lead after two days at 10-under-par 130. With his eight birdies, Fowler now has 18 birdies over two days to add to his U.S. Open record for most birdies in 36 holes. The previous record was 14 birdies by Gil Morgan (USA) at Pebble Beach in 1992.
Fowler, 34, has five career PGA Tour victories but has never won a major.
This will be Fowler’s 13th appearance at the U.S. Open, and his previous best finish was a tie for second in 2014. He missed the last two years due to poor form.
Fowler opened the day with back-to-back birdies on the first through third holes to take a one-shot lead, but after a bogey on the par-3 fourth, he was unable to cut the deficit. Over the next 14 holes, he traded five birdies for five bogeys.
Wyndham Clarke (USA) dropped three more shots on the day to move to 9-under-par 131 and trail Fowler by one stroke, while Rory McIlroy (NI) and Xander Schauffele (USA), who is seeking his first U.S. Open title in 12 years since 2011, are tied for third at 8-under 132.
LIVGolf’s Dustin Johnson (USA) was unable to make up ground on the day and slipped back to tied for sixth at 6-under 134.스포츠토토
Siu Kim (KOR), 28, had two birdies on the day, but six bogeys dropped him to a tie for 19th at 2-over-par 72. After cruising through the first half with two birdies and a bogey, Kim faltered in the second half with three consecutive bogeys on the 12th through 14th holes.
Kim Joo-hyung, 21, shaved two strokes off his score in the second round to advance.
After shooting a 3-over-par 73 in the first round and missing the cut, Kim improved to a tie for 39th place.
Lim Sung-jae (25) finished tied for 109th (6-over-par 146) and Lee Kyung-hoon (32) finished tied for 128th (8-over-par 148).