Rory McIlroy After surprisingly finding him in contention for a third U.S. PGA title at Oak Hill, he admitted to being wary of the wind.
Despite continuing to struggle to get out of the tee, McIlroy ended up in a second round of 69, half the total equal, just five of the lead shared. Scottie SchefflerCorey Conners and Victor Hovland.
First round leader Bryson DeChambeau and America’s Justin Suh were two shots ahead of England’s Callum Tarren, who was only on the pitch on Friday after the former champion. Martin Kaymer retracted – another hit after a spectacular 67.
Masters runner-up Brooks Koepka was two under Tarren thanks to 66, which included four birds in the last seven holes.
Four birds in seven holes helped Koepka land a 66 lap
(Getty Images)
Justin Rose only hit two fairways but somehow put together a second lap of 70 with McIlroy and former Open champion Shane Lowry at the same level.
On the 67th, Lowry was in contention with six birdies in the eight-hole course before shooting in the 17th and 18th positions.
McIlroy is unexpectedly out of calm conditions and pared his last 10 pits.
“I have to be patient when hitting the tee,” McIlroy said. “I was really patient and I think it was rewarded with a few breaks and birdies towards the end.
“I think about how awful I felt on the ball, the fact that I was only five behind… I’m not saying it could be there with one of my best performances but when I got that (bird) shot it was the last one. I thought I couldn’t believe I was just five years old.
“If I can get the ball from the teeing point in the game, I’ll take a shot and at that point I can throw the ball high and bombard everything. I can shake it hard too and go for it.
Rory McIlroy posted an under-69 to start the weekend five strokes behind the leaders.
(Getty Images)
World number one Jon Rahm was equal with 68 shots, but game partner and US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick bogeyed to miss the last two holes with a shot.
Club pro Michael Block had previously insisted he could fight for an extraordinary victory after seeing him score 70 times in a row with McIlroy and Lowry.
Block, one of 20 PGA pros on the course in Rochester and head pro of Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in California, cut the seven majors for the first time, but was setting his goals pretty high.
“I’m having a great time,” said Block, 46, after a round in fifth that included four birdies, two bogeys, and a double bogey, which was the result of a terrible handle from the tee.
There is no pressure on me, I have a job and salary waiting for me at my club. I don’t have to putt to pay off my mortgage. This is a nice thing I have here.
“To tell the truth, I feel like I have a game to compete in this week. I feel like I can even par every day here. At the end of four days, I feel like it could be a pretty good result.”
PGA pro Michael Block cuts seven majors for the first time
(AP)
On the block “Why not?” It’s stamped on the balls he uses to remind him not to doubt his abilities when under pressure, resulting from taking a hit to qualify for the 2007 US Open.
And finally “why not?” would be, he added: “Winning, by far. As weird as it sounds, I’m going to race. I promise you.”
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