Morikawa shares U.S. Open lead, Rahm and McIlroy one back
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[June 18, 2022] By
Frank Pingue
BROOKLINE, Mass. (Reuters) -Collin Morikawa held a share of the U.S.
Open lead after a riveting second round on Friday while defending
champion Jon Rahm and tournament favourite Rory McIlroy sat one shot
back on a star-laden leaderboard.
Twice major champion Morikawa fired a four-under-par 66 that was the
day's low round and left him at five under on the week at The
Country Club outside Boston and level with little-known qualifier
Joel Dahmen (68).
"No one has taken it deep so far and kind of run away, but you know
what, right now my game feels really good," said Morikawa, who is
the only player currently in the top 10 of the world rankings
without a PGA Tour win this season.
"The last few days is a huge confidence booster for me heading into
this weekend, and hopefully we can kind of make some separation
somehow."
Dahmen, who considered skipping a recent U.S. Open qualifier so he
could concentrate on upcoming PGA Tour events where he figured he
would fare better, missed a 10-foot birdie putt at the last that
would have given him the solo lead.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2022/Jun/18/images/ads/current/LPL_small%201.gif)
World number two Rahm (67) enjoyed another solid day on the greens
to move up the leaderboard, while No. 3 McIlroy (69) overcame a
shaky start to share third place along with Hayden Buckley (68),
Aaron Wise (68) and Beau Hossler (67).
Lurking a further shot off the pace were a pack of five golfers that
featured reigning Masters champion and world number one Scottie
Scheffler (67), setting the stage for what could be a wild weekend
at Brookline.
While a leaderboard with the top three players in the world rankings
within two strokes of the lead is a fan's dream going into a major
weekend, even Rahm is excited about the chance to go toe-to-toe with
his peers on one of golf's biggest stages.
"It's fun for all of us because we all want to compete against the
best and beat the best, and it's obviously a lot more fun for
watching," said Rahm.
"It's great for the game of golf that the highest-ranked players and
the best players are up there, especially in the tournament where
truly the best player ends up winning."
'A WHIRLWIND REALLY'
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![](../images/061822PIX/sports13.jpg)
Rory McIlroy plays his shot from the 13th tee during the second
round of the U.S. Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Peter
Casey-USA TODAY Sports
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Morikawa began on the back nine and had a glorious
chance to build a two-shot lead when his approach at the par-five
eighth settled four feet from the cup, but he sent his eagle attempt
right past the cup and settled for birdie.
He now heads into the weekend with his eyes set on winning a major
title for a third consecutive year after triumphs at the British
Open (2021) and PGA Championship (2020).
Dahmen, who considered skipping a recent U.S. Open qualifier so he
could concentrate on upcoming PGA Tour events at which he figured he
would fare better, missed a 10-foot birdie putt at the last that
would have given him the solo lead.
"It's kind of been a whirlwind really," said Dahmen. "I was trying
to think back on the round today, and it's all kind of a blur
really, which I think is probably a good thing."
Scheffler, who began the day four shots back of overnight leader
Adam Hadwin (72), was bolstered by a late eagle at the par-five 14th
when, 55 yards away from the hole, he chipped in from the second cut
of rough.
"If a few more putts would have fallen in versus around the edge, it
would have been a really special day," said Scheffler.
Six-time U.S. Open runner-up Phil Mickelson, who has become the face
of the Saudi-backed LIV series, missed the cut after an 11 over
total that was better than only two other competitors from the
breakaway circuit.
"I enjoyed the week. Wish I had played better," said Mickelson.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2022/Jun/18/images/ads/current/charrons_bch_2022.png)
The U.S. Open field this week included 15 players
from the LIV series and of those Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed,
Bryson DeChambeau and Richard Bland were the only ones to make the
cut at the year's third major. [L1N2Y5005]
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Brookline, MassachusettsEditing by
Rosalba O'Brien and Clarence Fernandez)
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