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Golf Monthly
Golf Monthly
Sport
Thomas Patrick Clarke

US Open Golf 2023 Leaderboard, Live Updates: Fowler Takes Solo Lead As McIlroy Finishes Strongly

Rory McIlroy Wyndham Clark US Open Phil Mickelson Xander Schauffele Golf Rickie Fowler Brooks Koepka Hideki Matsuyama United States
(Image credit: Copyright USGA)

Day 2 of the 2023 US Open will happen on Friday at Los Angeles Country Club. Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler led the way on Thursday with record rounds of 62. Rory McIlroy, Dustin Johnson and Scottie Scheffler are lurking in an ever-increasing chasing pack. 

Wyndham Clark has had a fast start to the day, adding a 67 to his Thursday 64 while McIlroy came home in 30 to play himself right back into contention. Keep up to date with all the latest news below.

US OPEN HEADLINES

  • Fowler and Schauffele lead after record 1st rounds of 62
  • Strong group of players just behind them include DJ and McIlroy
  • Scoring likely to be tougher in round 2
  • McIlroy among early starters

US OPEN LEADERBOARD 2023

  • -11 Fowler
  • -9 Clark
  • -8 McIlroy, Schauffele 
  • -7 English 
  • -6 Johnson, Lee
  • -5 Bennett 
  • -4 Smith, Si Woo Kim, DeChambeau
  • Round two featured groups (local time, PDT):
  • 8.13am: Jordan Spieth, Patrick Cantlay, Tony Finau
  • 8.24am: Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka, Hideki Matsuyama
  • 1.43pm: Collin Morikawa, Max Homa, Scottie Scheffler
  • 1.54pm: Jon Rahm, Xander Schauffele, Viktor Hovland

LET'S GO ROUND AGAIN

Round 2 of the 123rd US Open has started!

HELLO AND WELCOME TO ROUND 2

Good morning, good afternoon, wherever you are in the world I am Sam and I'll be bringing you US Open updates for the next three hours. 

I really needed this too because the first day of The Ashes is not going fantastically for England...

SELECT TEE TIMES

We have some big names teeing off in the next hour and a half or so and here are some of my favorites. 

ROUND TWO 1ST HOLE

  • 7.29am - Phil Mickelson, Padraig Harrington, Keegan Bradley
  • 7.51am - Tom Kim, Sahith Theegala, Cameron Young
  • 8.02am - Sam Burns, Dustin Johnson, Keith Mitchell
  • 8.13am - Tony Finau, Jordan Spieth, Patrick Cantlay

ROUND TWO 10TH HOLE

  • 7.29am - Adrian Meronk, Harris English, Joaquin Niemann
  • 7.40am - Alex Noren, Wyndham Clark, Austin Eckroat
  • 8.02am - Cameron Smith, Sam Bennett, Matt Fitzpatrick
  • 8.13am - Billy Horschel, Chris Kirk, Brian Harman
  • 8.24am - Brooks Koepka, Hideki Matsuyama, Rory McIlroy

A TOUGHER LACC TODAY?

We can all see how good the scoring was during Round 1 but I have to believe the course is going to play harder as the week progresses. The course is going to get firmer and faster, the tees will be shifted around, and if the Round 2 pin locations are anything to go by, the hole will be harder to find today and the rest of the week. 

TV COVERAGE FOR TODAY

Here are the broadcast details for today in the US, UK, and Australia. Lots of golf to enjoy so everyone pace yourselves, maybe get a nap in later or something. 

US Coverage

Friday, June 16: 9.40am-1pm (Peacock), 1pm-8pm (USA), 8pm-11pm (NBC)

UK Coverage

Friday, June 16: 3pm-4am (Sky Sports Golf)

Australia Coverage

Friday, June 16: 11.40pm-1pm Kayo Sports (Fox Sports)

WEATHER FORECAST FOR TODAY

(Image credit: USGA)

Here is the weather forecast for today posted in the media hub. Looks pretty similar to yesterday so it looks like the different waves of tee times all get the same conditions over the first two rounds. Seems pretty ideal to me, unlike The Open Championship which is total pot luck sometimes. 

SORRY TO MOAN THIS EARLY BUT...

I know there is always some degree of setting up from the Sky Sports team, but I would love, LOVE to watch some golf shots from the groups that have teed off today already. I don't need to see highlights from Schauffele or Fowler's rounds, any golf fan has probably seen them already. 

I AM OFF THE RORY TRAIN

Wayne Riley waxing lyrical about Rory McIlroy's play yesterday. It was undoubtedly impressive, especially off the tee, but I am off the picking Rory train. I have picked him for most Major wins over the last 6 years or so and I am tired of disappointment. Also a more important point, when the course firms up and control is of paramount importance, Rory and his inconsistency will be found out I feel. 

I definitely want to be wrong here, but don't think I am. 

MICKELSON TEES OFF

Still wearing shades despite it being just grey out there, Mickelson tees off and mouths 'oh my god' after making contact. I thought it would've ended up in a horrific spot given that reaction but it just finds the fairway bunker on 1. 

Also playing partner Padraig Harrington has to stop from teeing off because of a squirrel. It is chased off by his caddie. He too finds the bunker.

SPICIER CONDITIONS TODAY?

USGA's Chief Championships Officer, John Bodenhamer, is hopeful that Los Angeles Country Club will be “spicier” over the next few days after he came in for criticism following the record low scoring in the opening round of the 123rd US Open .

“I’ll tell you what we won’t do, and I feel very strongly about this – we’re not going to force anything,” he said. “We could do things that would make it stupid hard. We’re going to go longer tomorrow. That was by design, and we’ll see what happens.

“We do know from our Walker Cup experience that Los Angeles Country Club dries down quickly. Tomorrow, as planned, we will play the golf course longer. You saw a few tees up today. That was by plan.

“Tomorrow you’ll see some things we had planned for Friday anyway and if we get the conditions we’re hoping for, I think you’ll see a little a little different, a little spicier golf course.”

CLARK TEES OFF ON 10

2023 Wells Fargo Championship winner Wyndham Clark tees off. He shot an excellent 64 yesterday and will be hoping for more of the same today. He finds the fairway on 10.

(Also the lack of any clapping whatsoever as the players get announced is jarring)

MICKELSON CHOPPING IT DOWN 1

After finding the fairway bunker, Mickelson plays out down the fairway before then finding the greenside bunker with his approach. 

He then plays possibly the worst bunker shot I've ever seen him hit, putting it nowhere near the hole. (For those of you questioning that, this is all relative, any time Mickelson is around the green I expect an up and down). 

No surprise he misses his par putt and he is back to level par. 

CHANCE FOR WYNDHAM CLARK

After a beautiful drive, Clark hits a gorgeous little knock down wedge shot into the 10th green and he's got a great chance to get to seven-under. I wish I could get a golf ball to do that hop, skip and then halt to attention near the flag. 

CLARK GETS TO SEVEN-UNDER

Yep and Clark holes the short putt for birdie and moves to seven-under. That was textbook control and awesome to watch, could he be one to watch later this week? 

WHAT SCORE LEADS LATER TODAY?

Great question by Smylie Kaufman. I have a feeling his shout of -12 is a good one but I will go with -11. I also think -11 will be the winning score too (provided the course gets tougher/firmer/faster). If not these guys could rip it apart.

FAVE US OPEN MEMORY?

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Just saw a thread on US Open memories and I had to have a good think on my absolute favorites. 2008 and Tiger is a given, but excluding that I really enjoyed Oakmont in 2007 - excluding who won obviously...

That course is just an absolute brute and wish we could go back there soon again. (DJ's win in 2016 was last time). 

I also enjoyed 2005 at Pinehurst.

WHAT A PAR FROM NIEMANN

Joaquin Niemann just holed a filthy, snaking putt for par at the long par-3 11th. After finding the bunker off the tee, he plays a pedestrian bunker shot to set up the putt. "Just put me down for a 3." Golf is silly sometimes.

BIG NAMES TEEING OFF

Just now we have Sam Burns, Dustin Johnson, Keith Mitchell teeing off on 1, and Cameron Smith, Sam Bennett, Matt Fitzpatrick off the 10th hole. Some serious firepower there. 

BIG DAY NEEDED FOR CAMERON YOUNG

Super disappointed in Cameron Young so far this week. He is two-over currently and just missed a very makeable birdie putt on the first. He needs to go super low today. 

WAVING UP ON 11?

Interesting development occurring on the long par-3 11th just now as the guys on the tee have been called up by the group in front. Slow play already an issue? 

CLARK NEARLY JOINS LEADER AT EIGHT-UNDER

The American Wyndham Clark looks to be playing well again, scaring the hole with his birdie putt on the 11th. Hasn't missed a shot yet. He remains seven-under, one back of the leaders.

DJ nearly joins him on seven-under but his birdie putt on the first slides by.

MCILROY, KOEPKA, MATSUYAMA TEE OFF

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Another big group has just teed off and they had varying fortunes yesterday. McIlroy shot an imperious 65, whereas Hideki and Brooks shot 72 and 71 respectively. 

Also if anyone out there has any info on the special edition Nike shoes Rory and Brooks are wearing please give me a shout. Been trying to find anything on them. 

All three find the fairway by the way.

MICKELSON BIRDIES 3RD

After bogeying the first, Mickelson gets back into the red with a birdie at the 3rd hole. Elsewhere Brian Harman has bogeyed to drop back to four-under, and Harris English has made three solid pars to start his round to stay at three-under.

MORE HOLE IN ONES AT 15 TODAY?

Seen several shots on the 15th today and given the pin location, I wouldn't be surprised if there are going to be some more hole in ones today. Pin looks a bit too funnelly for me given the low scoring from yesterday. 

CLARK BURNS ANOTHER EDGE!

He nearly holes another absolute bomb of a putt! Clark is putting the lights out right now as he looks to join the leaders. 

Meanwhile Dustin Johnson is making a meal of the 2nd hole. Fairway bunker off the tee, he lays up into the thick rough, then chunks it into the barranca. Big score might be coming up here.

SOLID START FOR RORY

He looks a little miffed for missing his birdie putt but I am sure Rory would take an opening par on the 10th. Maybe it's because his playing partners Hideki and Brooks both birdied...

DJ QUAD AT 2ND

I told you he was chopping it at the 2nd. All said and done, Johnson walks off with an eight and he drops all the way back to two-under. Some rebuilding to be done. 

Also Rory has left himself in a shocking position on the 11th hole, an up and down looks unlikely there. 

RORY NEARLY HOLES OUT

Unbelievably good recovery from Rory who lofts it out of the cabbage and nearly hits the hole. He has just over 20-feet for par though.... and his attempt roles by. Back to four-under. 

Meanwhile Sam Bennett, in the space of two shots has dropped his club, and hit a shot with one hand coming off the grip in disgust with himself. And he has a good chance for birdie. Golf is stupid how has he got away with those two shots I don't know. 

UH OH BROOKS HAS THE PUTTER WORKING

That is two good putts in a row from Brooks Koepka. He is back to level par thanks to a birdie at this 1st and holes an excellent par putt on the 11th (his second hole). 

When he has it going with the putter watch out, don't be surprised to see him at four or five-under come the end of play today.

BEST SCORE OUT THERE SO FAR?

I bet you could't guess who has the best score going in the second round so far. It is Wilco Nienaber from South Africa. I recommend finding a video of how this guy hits the ball because holy moly it goes a long way. He is three-under through five holes currently after starting on the back-nine. 

DJ BIRDIES 3

What a bounce back birdie putt that is. Johnson holes a beauty to get back to three-under. 

Brian Harman, who also started with a bogey early in his round, just nearly holed out at the 12th. Looks like a birdie and he will get back to five-under.

EXPECTED CUT LINE?

With how early we are into the second round, it is a bit silly to predict what the cut could be, but I am hearing scores in the realm of +3, +4. But given scoring conditions and how many birdies are out there, this could drop even further. 

RORY HOLES MONSTER AT 12

A great bounce back birdie for McIlroy as well. He found the fairway off the tee, hit a smart wedge over the flag, and then holed a monster of a curving putt to get back to five-under. Outstanding putt that looked in as soon as he hit it. 

His playing partner Matsuyama follows him and he is back to level par thanks to two birdies in three holes. Koepka however bogeys which I will take the blame for because 10 mins ago I said to watch out for him. 

INSANE RECOVERY FROM CLARK

This probably trumps Rory's one on the 11th from Clark. In the cabbage, and going over a bunker to a tucked pin, he somehow manages to get a wedge shot to stop near the flag. Truly insane. 

He then holes the putt to tie the lead at eight-under.

RORY GOES WAY LEFT ON 13

After getting the birdie back, Rory yanks his drive way left and into a tree. It drops down but he will need to probably play the shot on his knees to get the ball back into play. Welcome to the Rory McIlroy experience everyone!

Dustin Johnson drops another shot by the way, whereas Tony Finau and Andrew Putnam have birdies to join the three-under group.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT...

Also I recommend reading the entire thread...

HARMIN DROPS SHOT, LET'S ANGER OUT

Harman bogeys the 13th hole and is not happy with himself. It was a bit of a hot mic situation on the Sky Sports coverage!

BOGEY UPCOMING FOR MCILROY

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Terrible tee shot, chip out, and a terrible, terrible wedge shot from 135 yards. This looks like a bogey for McIlroy and the perfect encapsulation of why Rory isn't going to win this week. It is never steady with him, unlike Wyndham Clark who is playing some very controlled golf right now. 

HOFFMAN EAGLES 1ST

Four-under for his day right now, Charley Hoffman has just eagled the first hole and he is up into a tie for 6th. Excellent stuff

CLARK THE IN FORM MAN

Talk about a rise up the world rankings. If he keeps this going he will make another huge jump this weekend. 

CLARK TO NINE-UNDER

Just like that, Wyndham Clark is into the lead thanks to another outstanding putt. Or should I say hole. Fairways, greens, hot putter. An excellent combination. 

ANOTHER HOLE IN ONE!

Yep you read that right, another hole in one and its again on the 15th! Pavon and Burns yesterday, Matt Fitzpatrick today and I wouldn't be surprised if there are more come the end of play. 

CAMERON SMITH HEATING UP

Three birdies in his last four holes gets the Australian to three-under for the tournament. Putter looks hot right now so let's see if he can keep it going. 

HANDING OVER TO DAN PARKER

And that is me done for today. Enjoyed every minute of that three hours but slightly gutted I missed the rest of the first day of The Ashes! Never mind eh? 

That's just not cricket

Thanks, Sam! Go and enjoy the last half an hour of the cricket. Over in Los Angeles, Wyndham (love that name) Clark is now setting the pace by one shot as McIlroy's day continues to ebb and flow. 

Charley Hoffman is 4-under for the day through 10 holes, so there's a score to be had out there again today. 

Too easy? 

The 115-yard 15th is playing especially easy today thanks to the hole position. We've already had Matt Fitzpatrick's hole in one and now McIlroy's group has the pin surrounded. Three easy birdie looks coming up. 

No Birdie For Rors

The putt slips by and Rory has to settle with a par on the 15th. Elsewhere, Tony Finau has moved to four under par with a birdie on the 6th. 

(Image credit: Getty Images/Harry How)

It's getting congested at four under par. After Finau moved to that score, Sam Bennett also joined him and there's now five players at that total. 

Copycats 

Here's one for all you equipment nerds out there. Rickie Fowler, currently tied 2nd, and Wyndham Clark, in the solo lead, are using the exact same putter. After seeing Rickie's, Clark asked for an exact replica to be made. 

Bennett maintains momentum

More success for Sam Bennett. A nice par save on the 8th keeps his solid round going. Behind him, Dustin Johnson claws back one of the dropped shots from his quadruple bogey earlier, he's at three-under. 

Koepka close 

Brooks Koepka, who is one-over for the tournament, has just popped his second shot on the tough 17th mighty close. Hole the upcoming put and he can get back to level for the tournament. 

Next to him, McIlory gets a jumpy 4-iron and he's through the back of the green. It's starting to look and feel a whole lot more like a classic U.S Open now 

McIlroy going backwards

After flying through the back of the green on 17, McIlroy can only move his chip to the fringe of the green. He can't hole the long putt and makes another bogey to drop to two-over for the day, three-under for the tournament. 

Finau To Five

The first to get up and out of the group at four-under, a neat birdie on the 8th hole takes Tony Finau to five-under par. That's still three back of Clark. 

Clark maintains lead

(Image credit: Getty Images/Richard Heathcote)

A scrappy attempt at playing the 11th hole still results in a part for Wyndham Clark and he still leads Fowler and Schauffele by one shot. Those two aren't teeing off for another couple of hours yet and still find themselves a good few clear of the chasing pack. 

English moves into the pack

Harris English has remaining very patient today and has holed a serious amount of footage on the greens. His work on the greens is playing off and two birdies in his last three holes sees him join the group at four-under par. 

Can't buy a putt

McIlroy can't buy a putt today. He sees a 15ft putt lip out on the 18th and has to settle with a two-over front nine. Still, better than his air shot on this hole yesterday.

Bennett to five

(Image credit: Getty Images/Ross Kinnaird)

Sam Bennett is enjoying a fine morning. A birdie at the first hole, his 10th, moves him alongside Tony Finau at five-under par. For those thinking about the cut line, it's currently sitting at two-over par. 

Brooks and rory birdie, Finau bogeys 

Also on the first hole, Koepka and McIlroy take advantage of the gettable par five to make a birdie each. That's Rory back to four under for the tournament. What will he be targeting with eight holes left to play? 

Tony Finau has just dropped a shot to move back to four under. 

DJ clawing back

Dustin Johnson carded a quadruple bogey eight on the 2nd hole today. He's done really well to fight back and three birdies since means he's clawed it back to four under par. 

Clark bogeys, falls back into a tie for lead 

That's the first mistake of the day from Wyndham Clark. It's on the 221-yard par three 13th hole and he now finds himself in a tie for the lead with Fowler and Schauffele. 

back to back birdies for brooks

(Image credit: Getty Images/Richard Heathcote)

B2B4B! (Back To Back For Brooks!). It's a great start to his back nine and the PGA champ is now under par for the first time this week. 

Ahead of him, Harris English has just hole his longest putt of the day to get it to five under par. 

Rory balances the books 

Finally! Rory makes a putt. That's him to five under for the tournament, which is level par for his day's work. 

English birdies, Finau bogeys

After missing a short birdie putt on the 12th, Finau makes a mess of the 13th and walks off with a bogey. He's been scrappy for the last half an hour. 

Up ahead, Harris English cards his fourth birdie on his back nine to move to six under par. 

McIlroy in the barranca 

My new favourite word is Barranca. It just rolls off the tongue. Isn't it fun learning new things? Every day is a school day etc. We've lined out exactly what Barranca is so you can learn alongside me. 

Anyway, as fun as the word is, you don't want your golf ball in it and McIlroy has indeed found it on the 5th with some serious work ahead to make his par. 

Barranca Bites

(Image credit: Getty Images)

That trip to the Barranca has cost Rory a shot and he drops back to four under. 

Fowler and Schauffele arrive at LACC

(Image credit: Getty Images/Keyur Khama)

Our leaders, Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele, have just arrived on site. I wonder if they thought they'd still be leading as they arrived? It looks as though any sort of round in the high 60s from this pair will keep them atop the leaderboard today. 

Smith miracle bunker shot

I'll bring you video coverage of this shot soon, because it's something to behold! Cam Smith was directly up the face of the bunker in front of the 6th hole and he somehow nudges it out to 15ft. He doesn't make the birdie putt, but it's some effort. 

Tiger withdraws from the open

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Taking a quick break from the action on the course in Los Angeles, some breaking news today is that Tiger Woods has officially withdrawn from the 2023 Open Championship. We didn't expect him to make an appearance at Royal Liverpool this year, but this is still sad news. 

McIlroy bounces back

After his trip to the Barranca, Rory bounces back with a birdie on the 5th to get back to where he started the day - five under. 

In front of him, Harris English makes another birdie to inch ever closer to our overnight leaders and Sam Bennett moves to six under.

Cut stands at +2

That heading does what it says on the tin really. 67 players currently sit at +2 or better as the afternoon wave of players tee off. 

Love laying up 

Brooks, Rory and Hideki all hit tee shots well short of the reachable 6th hole. With a flick of a wedge in, they all stuck it close and made a birdie apiece. Impressive work from these three stars. 

English New clubhouse leader

Harris English signs for a 66 and becomes our new clubhouse leader at seven under par. Fowler and Schauffele are still yet to see off and will likely still have a lead when they step on the tee in half an hour or so. 

CLARK LEADS AGAIN

Wyndham Clark leads again. Now -9. Always a big moment when someone gets to double figures at a US Open, he's got one hole to become the first.

ENGLISH IN THE HUTCH

Harris English has two top 10s in Majors, both in the US Open. He's done for the day and is -7 after rounds of 67-66. What an enjoyable place to be heading into the afternoon. 

RULES WATCH 

I'll intersperse these ramblings with some rules of the club at LACC. And there are quite a few..

1) No shorts while playing golf (tailored pants only)

I'm not sure I even own a pair of tailored pants

LOTS MORE TO COME...

Plenty of big names all yet to head out including the two Mr 62s. Would like to see Max Homa get in the mix and Fleetwood get into red figures. Cam Davis has had a stinker today and he needs to par his final hole otherwise he's going to become the first player to shoot 80 or above.

CLARK ALL DONE AT -9

Wyndham will now be able to wind down after adding a 67 to his 64. This is his third US Open and will be the first one that he'll be playing the weekend. Different player now though, looked very classy winning at Quail.

DJ ON SONG AFTER EARLY WOBBLE

Johnson's golfing brain is occasionally mocked but we could all learn something from big Dustin. He's nuts, in a good way. Had an 8 at the 2nd and a bogey two holes later and he's round in a level-par 70 - his last 11 holes were played in -4. One of the greats and Zach Johnson would be mad to overlook him in Italy.

DJ: I'M SWINGING IT WELL 

Johnson has a chat with Sky's Cara, tells us very little but, at the same time, seems quite chirpy. Does mention a couple of times that he's happy with the way that he's swinging it. He has a tremendous knack of just keeping talking and no nuggets to feed off. Impossible to dislike, there are few like him. Can't wait to see him a bit more regularly on the PGA Tour. 

NO HIGHER COMPLIMENT

This is pretty ridiclous; the stat itself and the fact that Justin Ray is able to tell us this.. 

RICKIE UP AND RUNNING

It's no great surprise to see Fowler back up there but is still a welcome one. He stripes it down the fairway at his opening hole.

SPIETH HEADING HOME?

Jordan Spieth signs off at +3 and he'll be done for the week. Probably not his type of course but he was well inside the mark but dropped three shots late on.

BENNETT AT IT AGAIN

Sam Bennett has another big Major weekend ahead. The star of The Masters is at -5 and he's in great shape. The 23-year-old was T16 at Augusta and he's well inside the top 10 here.

Rory gives himself a 20-footer at his penultimate hole for an eagle. He's another who's consolidated a strong first round very nicely. 

RULES WATCH 2

More from the dos and don'ts at LACC..

Men must wear a sport coat in the clubhouse after 6 pm

No changing shoes in the parking lot

No clogs or flip-flops

No clogs?! I'm actually down with the committee on this one

HARRINGTON ON TODAY'S TEST

Here's what Padraig made of the conditions and set-up today..

'Tough, tough. Much tougher. They have lengthened the course substantially. Firmed the greens up a little. I don't know if they have changed the pin positions from what they had intended, but with the longer golf course and the firmer greens, those pins certainly were difficult.'

TOMMY LAD

An honourable mention to Fleetwood. Stuffed his approach close at the 10th (his 1st) and then birdied the 297-yard 11th which of course is a par 3. He's back to +1.

Fellow flusher Min Woo Lee posts a 65 and he'll head into Saturday at -6. Quality character and player and would be great to see him contend.

XANDER AND CO TEE OFF

By co I mean Rahm and Hovland. The Spaniard missed his first six fairways on Thursday but he nuts it down the 1st fairway. 

HOTTING UP NICELY

Both the weather and the quality of leaderboard. Rory has a two-footer at his final hole after very nearly holing his tee shot. He'll post a 67 and he'll have six birdies on his back nine. What a boy. Hope he shuns the media again and just keeps his head down.

PLEASE LET THIS CONTINUE

Can you imagine if he pulled this off..

DOUBLE DIGITS

Fowler is at -10 after a second birdie in two holes. This is a fabulous and incredible stat – from inside 15 feet Fowler is 18/18. 15 feet!

CLARK OPENS UP ABOUT HIS LATE MUM

Wyndham Clark lost his mum around 10 years ago but she's still inspiring him to greater things. Speaks very well here..

"I was walking down yesterday and I kind of was just smiling as I was playing well, and I go, man, I wish you could be here, mom, because it's a dream come true to be doing this at the highest level in front of friends and family that are out here. Yeah, I wish she could be here. But I know she's proud of me, and she's made a huge impact on my life. I am who I am today because of her. 

"She was kind of my rock and my always-there supporter. So when things were tough or when things were going great, she was always there to keep me grounded and either bring me up or keep the high going. Yeah, I mean, I'm getting a little choked up. She's everything, and I miss her, and everything I do out here is a lot for her."

FITZ ON THE TEDIUM OF LONG PAR 3S

Matt Fitzpatrick made an ace at the very short 15th but he's also got some sound thoughts on the pros and cons of the different par 3s here at LACC..

'The 15th is a great hole. It's miles better than the other two long par 3s. It's not even a contest. For me, I just think that you got a sand wedge or a lob wedge or a gap wedge in your hand and you're nervous, and I think that's the thing. That's why you're always hitting 3-wood in, and 7-wood. You're not nervous. You're not thinking about it. You're just trying to hit it as hard as you can and get it to the green. There's no real thought process in it, behind it.'

HORSCHEL TURNS IT AROUND

Billy Horschel's game was in tatters at Muirfield Village though he did say it wasn't that far away. Today he posted a 67 to finish on level and he'll be here for the weekend. Good on him.

FOWLER FLYING AGAIN

He's now birdied his first three holes and is two clear. He's -11 and he's only played 21 holes! 

RORY PLAYING SMART

Some thoughts from McIlroy, seems to be in a great place and looks really level-headed.

'For whatever reason, I went on to YouTube a few weeks ago and was just looking back at like Hoylake in 2014 and specifically that, and I actually couldn't believe how many irons and 3-woods and stuff I was hitting off the tee.

It set something off in my mind about, you know how to do this. You know how to play smart. You don't have to hit driver all the time. Yes, it's a big weapon, it's a big advantage. But I keep saying I've got more weapons in my arsenal I feel now than I did back then, so I may as well use them and play to them.'

HOW RORY CLOSED OUT HIS DAY

We hadn't seen many go close at the 9th until McIlroy stepped on the tee. 

POLE SLIPS UP

Adrian Meronk could have picked up some very nice Ryder Cup points this week but he shot 73 today and will miss the cut at +3. Pity.

THE WAITING GAME zzz

Fowler is chatting away on the 4th tee which is just as well as they've been standing there for over 14 minutes. Then shoves it right of the sand and will do very well to save his par from some scrubland. 

KOEPKA: I'M NOT A HUGE FAN OF THIS PLACE

You probably won't see Koepka's quotes splashed over the LACC website..

Q. Philosophically what should a U.S. Open set-up be? You're one who has kicked ass on some hard ones. What do you think like it should be?

BROOKS KOEPKA: I think it should be around par. I'm not a huge fan of this place. I'm not a huge fan of blind tee shots, and then I think there's just some spots that no matter what you hit, the ball just ends up in the same spot.

RULES WATCH 3

In the unlikely event of being offered country membership of LACC, I don't think I'd be a great addition to things, particularly with some of my scumbag mates.

No headphones or earbuds

No athletic clothes or apparel with slogans

No photos or videos of the club on social media

Members are responsible for all charges their guests incur

BRYSON ON THE MOVE

BDC has had three birdies in his first five holes. The 2020 champ ticks a lot of boxes here and he was 4th at the recent PGA Championship. He's in a spot of bother at the reachable 6th and his reaction is tremendous as he comes up short with his recovery. He's certainly different. 

THE CLASS IS COMING TO THE FORE

This is how Rahm began his day, now on the fringes of the top 10. Whatever you think of the course it's certainly identifying the best players

RULES WATCH: THE FINALE

This is what you can and can't do at LACC. Welcome to 2023..

No cash is used on the property outside of paying the caddies (no tipping)

LACC members and visitors can only make phone calls from either A) their parked car or B) an enclosed phone booth in the locker room.

FOWLER MAKES RARE PAR

Five holes in Rickie has his first par. And seventh of the week. In 23 holes.

JT STILL STRUGGLING

Thomas has started on the harder back nine and he's six holes in. And he hasn't had a par yet and not in a good way. One birdie and five bogeys. A lot of talk about him being injured at the moment and he's a long, long way from his best. 

FOWLER BACK TO TWO CLEAR

The American rolls in another putt at the 6th and that par run continues. The putter is working an absolute treat, he's tweaked it slightly and took 1/8 of an inch off the length. Small margins and all that.

FOWLER CATCHES A BREAK

At the 297-yard 7th he sees his fairway wood spin up right and short and heading for trouble but his ball catches the edge of the bunker and tiptoes onto the front edge. Could have ended up in a shocking spot.

Not sure I mind one long par 3 and like to see them hitting a lot of timber every now and then but one's plenty. 

LOWRY BATTLING AWAY 

The cut looks like being +2 and Shane is on that number on his way up the 17th. He has to pitch on after finding trouble off the tee and he glances the pin. Will have a 6-8 footer for a much-needed par.

His Ryder Cup pal Tyrrell Hatton is also fighting hard and is now -2 today (thru 7) to get back to +2, the same number as Fleetwood.

ONE BIG REASON TO PULL FOR CLARK

Wyndham Clark is remarkably measured and open here..

FOWLER DOESN'T TAKE ADVANTAGE

Fowler misses maybe his first putt within 15 feet after his first putt comes up well short and he drops a rare shot. Back to -10. On the upside he's the fastest player ever to reach -11 in US Open history. His 21 holes knocked spots off Rory's 32 holes at Congressional in 2011.

Meanwhile Lowry shifts one on to the 18th green and he should be safely through for some more golf. 

COUPLES BACK ON AIR

We've seen more of Fred Couples in the corporate stand by the 1st tee than we have most of the players. Still looking very cool at the age of 63.

Shout out to Nick Dougherty who's been on great form; kept things ticking along nicely, plenty of humour and gets the others chatting about the good stuff. Left to their own devices things drift a bit too much for my liking.

BRYSON HITS A STINKER

BDC makes a strange noise when he hits a quick hook off the 9th tee and then blames the wind for switching. The Sky gang, rightfully, give him a bit of stick. 

Stars on show

As you might expect for a golf tournament held in Los Angeles, there are plenty of stars on show in the crowd. Here's Brooks Koepka hanging out with Boston Celtics center Blake Griffin. A couple of guys being dudes. 

Hovland Hovering 

Viktor Hovland? Viktor Hovering more like. He's hovering around level par today, but looks to have his game in decent enough shape to make the cut this week. He's just holed a long putt for bogey to limit the damage on the 7th. 

Fowler extends lead

Back to -11 for Rickie! That's his fifth birdie of the front nine to go alongside two birdies. Behind him, Xander misses a fairly short putt for par and drops -8

Nearly another

Fowler is looking really confident on the greens. He has to settle for a par on the 9th, but the birdie putt wasn't far off. 

32 shots out for Fowler, a great response so far to his 62 from yesterday. The back nine has scored 1.5 shots tougher all week, so it will be interesting to see if he can consolidate this good start. 

Rose Eagles

He's been struggling all week, but can Justin Rose mount a late charge to make the cut? A chip in eagle will certainly help...

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