Fowler ties 36-hole U.S. Open scoring mark to lead Clark, McIlroy
Rickie Fowler's birdie binge didn't stop with his record-setting round of 62 on Thursday, as the overnight leader added eight more Friday to hold a one-shot lead over Wyndham Clark after 36 holes at the U.S. Open.
Fowler's eight birdies and six bogeys meant he finished with a 2-under 68 to overtake Clark and sit 10-under for the championship. His combined score of 130 matches Martin Kaymer for the lowest 36-hole total in U.S. Open history.
Rory McIlroy's 67 in the morning wave brought him up to third alongside first-round co-leader Xander Schauffele. Harris English rounded out the top five at Los Angeles Country Club.
| Place | Player | Total to par | Round 2 score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rickie Fowler | -10 | 68 |
| 2 | Wyndham Clark | -9 | 67 |
| T3 | Rory McIlroy | -8 | 67 |
| T3 | Xander Schauffele | -8 | 70 |
| 5 | Harris English | -7 | 66 |
| T6 | Dustin Johnson | -6 | 70 |
| T6 | Min Woo Lee | -6 | 65 |
| T8 | Scottie Scheffler | -5 | 68 |
| T8 | Sam Bennett | -5 | 68 |
| 10 | Cameron Smith | -4 | 67 |
Fowler once again brought the offense to begin his second round, pouring in three straight birdies to reach 11-under in just 20 holes of action. It was the start of a roller-coaster ride for the 34-year-old, who'd only register four pars total on the day.
He'd end up needing all eight of those birdies to ensure the solo lead over Clark, who fired a 3-under 67 in the morning wave. The 29-year-old has had a strong season on the PGA TOUR, including his first win, but is making just his seventh career start in a major. He'll be in the final group Saturday alongside Fowler.
McIlroy and Schauffele make up the star-studded chase group for Saturday. McIlroy blitzed the front nine at LACC for a second straight 5-under 30 to cancel out a 2-over 37 on the closing side. That puts him in the mix yet again to end his major drought, which began after his victory at the 2014 PGA Championship.
Schauffele looked to be faltering Friday with three straight bogeys on his closing nine, but the World No. 6 went birdie-birdie to finish on Nos. 17 and 18 and lock his place alongside McIlroy in a tie for third.
Dustin Johnson had the most interesting round of the day, with the 2016 champion carding a quadruple-bogey 8 on his second hole before fighting all the way back to shoot even.
There's plenty of star power lurking should any of the lead groups falter, as World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Open champion Cameron Smith are five and six strokes back, respectively.