Mamaroneck (United States) (AFP)
A birdie on the last hole allowed the American Patrick Reed (-4) to take control of the US Open golf course, ahead of Bryan DeChambeau author of the best card (68) of the day, Friday, during the 2nd very windy turn, fatal to Tiger Woods.
Justin Thomas, leader the day before in Mamaroneck (New York) after a superb 65, was in difficulty (73) and slipped to 3rd place two lengths from Reed, who hung on to the end to limit the damage .
The day after his superb hole in one which launched him ideally in the tournament, it was a birdie on the N.9, the fifth to thwart five bogeys, which came to rebalance the card (70) of the winner of the Masters of 'Augusta 2018 and finally keep it in front of DeChambeau.
"We knew it would be brutal today. Since we had roughed up the course yesterday, it was inevitably going to get tougher," said Reed, referring in particular to the windy conditions, the faster greens and the ever increasing difficulty on Winged Foot every round, with the result of only 3 golfers having finished under par out of the 144 in contention, against 21 the day before.
DeChambeau is one of them, he who also had a busy day: he committed five bogeys, which he compensated with five birdies, before finishing very strong with an eagle on his last hole to accumulate a total of -3.
"I drove pretty well given the conditions. It was really not easy, but I did it when I needed it the most," he said, happy too with his last hole, "which is good for trust".
Behind him, at a length, Justin Thomas, winner of the USPGA in 2017 therefore leads a trio also made up of the Spaniard Rafael Cabrera Bello (70) and the American Harris English (70) who are in search of their first Grand Slam.
- Rahm and Johnson hang on -
Although still solidly positioned, they too came out of their second lap.
"The wind picked up a lot. It made things very complicated. The greens got a little faster and a little firmer. The pins were a little harder. I'm sure the weekend will be very difficult. "said Cabrera Bello.
As for Thomas, author of four bogeys between the 13th and 17th holes, he conceded having "had a grueling day. I can't drive like that this weekend".
Among the favorites, Jon Rahm, in ambush the day before after having finished with -1, drew because of five bogeys, insufficiently compensated by three birdies.
But less than most of the competitors and ile even climbs to 12th place.
As for the world No. 1 and favorite of the event Dustin Johnson, he did better than the day before by succeeding in the par, that is to say three strokes less.
And suddenly, he also nibbles up to 22nd place (+3).
Beside him is Rory McIlroy on more slippery ground.
He suffered terribly (76) after his rather good first day (67).
And what about Tiger Woods, in search of a 16th major title, who, like Collin Morikawa, Justin Rose, Jordan Spieth and Phil Mickelson, did not pass the cut?
His card of 77 resulted from two double-bogeys, five bogeys and two birdies.
"It's frustrating not to stay here for the weekend," said Woods, who now has to turn to the Augusta Masters he owns and which will take place in mid-November.
© 2020 AFP