US double lead and two superstars hot on the heels: The 123rd US Open of golf pros beckons a furious finale.
Before the last 18 holes on the par-70 course at the Los Angeles Country Club, Rickie Fowler maintained his lead after a round of 70 with 200 strokes, but he had to share this lead with his compatriot Wyndham Clark (69). Both are aiming for their first major triumph.
However, the pack is lurking close behind, led by four-time major winner Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland/201) and world number one Scottie Scheffler (USA/203), who won the US Masters in Augusta in 2022.
Despite their joint lead, Fowler and Clark struggled with their late start time (3:40 p.m. local time) on the last flight of the day. “We played twilight golf,” said Clark, who clinched his first-ever win on the US tour in May. From hole 15, 16 it started “that we couldn’t see well anymore. My bogey on the 17th was one hundred percent due to it, and so was Rickie’s bogey on the 18th.” The duo tackles the last 18 holes 70 minutes earlier than the day before.
Martin Kaymer misses the cut
Fowler could celebrate his sporting rebirth in Los Angeles. The 34-year-old, who is extremely popular with fans, had his heyday in the middle of the last decade. In 2014 he finished in the top 5 at all four majors, eight times in total. But in 2021 and 2022 he disappeared, he missed the cut at the US Open and slipped down to 185th place in the world rankings.
He got off to a spectacular start in LA. Like compatriot Xander Schauffele, he set a US Open round record on Thursday with 62 strokes. In the City of Angels, Fowler is supported by friends and family. “So it would be great if I could win here,” said the multiple Ryder Cup player.
Martin Kaymer is far removed from such perspectives. At his first major tournament after a year, the veteran missed the cut. The former world number one played a 73 twice so had four strokes too many on the account. Kaymer, who has fallen far behind in the world rankings, has the right to start at the US Open up to and including next year thanks to his triumph in 2014.
After all, the 38-year-old was in good company. Also missing out on qualifying for the final rounds were previous major champions like Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth and Phil Mickelson (all USA), who was runner-up at the US Open six times.