by Corona Man » Sat Jun 19, 2021 3:21 pm
2 rounds down and we have a pair of unexpected golfers atop the leaderboard.
A 48-year-old journeyman golfer from Southampton ranked 115th who had never won a top-flight tournament until 35 days ago.
World, meet Richard Bland. His second round 4 under par score was anything but bland.
The unheralded Englishman, who went off as a 500-1 underdog this week at Torrey Pines Golf Club, added a second-round 67 to his opening-round 70 to go five under for the championship and a share of the 36-hole lead with the Georgia native, Russell Henley.
Bland, whose four appearances in major tournaments have been scattered across four different decades, started on the back nine beneath a marine layer overcast and reached the turn at two under, then added three more birdies over the next six holes to match the low round of the tournament.
“I was feeling pretty good about my game,” said Bland, who is playing on American soil for only the second time in a 28-year professional career and betraying no sign of nerves on the sport’s biggest stage. “I’ve been driving the ball well for five, six weeks now, which is the cornerstone if you’re going to put a fight up for a US Open.
American Russell Henley (& Grange) sits alongside Bland, and will make an unlikely final pairing on Saturday.
1 shot behind is Matt Wolff, who as his name suggest is stalking the leaders and ready to pounce. Joining Wolff on the score of -4 is Louis Oosthuizen. Can he go on and take the title in 2021?
A further shot adrift at -3 are Bubba Watson, who is back in contention at a major for the first time in quite some years. Pre Tournament favorite Jon Rahm is also on -3
Three players sit on -2, Canadian Mackenzie Hughes, my man Xander Schauffele, and 42 year old American Kevin Streelman.
Greens are getting firmer and less receptive, so birdies and eagles could prove elusive over the weekend.
1961, 1971, 1976, 1978, 1983, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1991, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015.... And don't you forget it!