McIlroy on fire: 111th US Open at Congressional Country Club - Round 2 highlights
The second day of the US open at the Congressional Country Club turned out to be another European day when Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy shot five-under, 66 to gain a massive six shots lead from the nearest contender.
The overnight leader started off his second round coming with a three shot lead and forged his way ahead to become the first ever player to gain a double-digit lead at halfway mark in the US Open. He also became the first player to post a massive 13-under
till the 26 holes, something which has never happened in the event's history.
"It's been two very, very good days of golf," McIlroy said. "I put myself in a great position going into the weekend. But I know more than probably anyone else what can happen. So I've got to stay really focused and try and finish this thing off."
McIlroy reminded many of the early days of the celebrated Tiger Woods, who used to run havoc with his opening rounds in the late 90’s. For some, he was even better than Woods, arguably though. The 22-year-old Irishman hit 17 greens in regulation and did
not drop a shot till the he reached the 36th hole in the second round. McIlroy, with his trailblazing golf, left many veterans and aspirants in the field, stunned and envious.
"He's striking it flawlessly and putted great on the greens," Phil Mickelson said.
However, Mickelson would definitely be worried of young McIlroy’s massive lead, and it will take sheer hard work on his part to overcome it. Mickelson had a disappointing opening day where he closed his first round with a 74. He was able to manage a two-under,
69 in the second round to survive the halfway cut which was placed at 60 lowest scores plus ties.
Top ranking players, Luke Donald 72, Lee Westwood 68 and Martin Kaymer 70, are still lurking in obscurity and certainly well below on the leaderboard than the place they ought to be.
Westwood managed three-under for the second round to make up for his disastrous first round of four-over, 75.
Kaymer has also done well to climb the rankings on second day with one-under, 74. He had earlier settled for three-over, 74 in the first round. Kaymer lauded McIlroy’s overwhelming success till the second round and regarded it as well deserved.
"Rory is obviously running away with it, so we are pretty much playing for second unless something crazy happens tomorrow," reigning PGA champion said. "I hope he wins, though. He's a nice person and he deserves it, especially after the Masters."
Defending champion Graeme McDowell, with his lopsided two rounds, has dropped to joint 33 and would need a miracle to retain his title. McDowell slumped to a three-over, 74 in the second round after his opening round of one-under on Friday.
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