golf
US Open: Morikawa and Dahmen lead – stars in wait
The American Joel Dahmen tees off on the 13th hole. Photo: Charlie Riedel/AP/dpa
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Two-time Major winner Collin Morikawa and outsider Joel Dahmen took the lead after day two of the 122nd US Open at Brookline.
Two-time Major winner Collin Morikawa and outsider Joel Dahmen took the lead after day two of the 122nd US Open at Brookline.
With 135 shots each, the two golf pros from the USA are one stroke ahead of a group of pursuers led by defending champion Jon Rahm from Spain and Northern Ireland’s golf star Rory McIlroy. The world number one and Masters winner Scottie Scheffler from the USA is also keeping up with the top after two rounds with 137 strokes. The two German golfers Yannik Paul and Marcel Schneider clearly failed at their first appearance at a major tournament on the cut and were eliminated early.
On the difficult par 70 course of the County Club outside of Boston, 25-year-old Morikawa in particular impressed with a strong round of 66 on Friday (local time). Rahm, second in the world rankings, also presented himself in strong form. “I think it’s good for golf that the best players are up there,” said the Spaniard after his round.
The US Open in the US state of Massachusetts is all about the power struggle between the new, very controversial LIV Golf Invitational Series financed by Saudi Arabia and the established PGA Tour. The US tour had suspended all players who started in the LIV series inaugural tournament. Despite the dispute, qualified players are allowed to take part in the US Open, as this is not organized by the PGA but by the American Golf Association USGA.
With US star Phil Mickelson and Spanish Ryder Cup hero Sergio Garcia, two of the most prominent defectors have already been eliminated. Former world number one Dustin Johnson from the USA, who is the star of the new LIV tour, is tied for 31st in Brookline with 141 strokes.