Dechambeau 2 Under Par "Title Defense GO~"... Bland's Veteran Surge

121st US Open Day 2: Bland Advances to Tied 13th with 4-Under Par Daily Best Leading Tied First, Wolf in 3rd Place

Bryson DeChambeau is examining the putting line on the 5th hole during the second day of the 121st US Open. San Diego, USA = Getty Images / Multivitz
Photo by Multivitz

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] ‘The Hulk’ Bryson DeChambeau (USA) is on a ‘march for a second consecutive victory.’

On the 19th (Korean time), at the South Course of Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, California, USA (par 71, 7,652 yards), the 121st US Open (total prize money $12.5 million) continued, and DeChambeau added 2-under par on the second day to leap to a tie for 13th place (even par 142). He is 5 strokes behind the co-leaders Richard Bland (England) and Russell Henley (5-under par 137), a position with plenty of room for a comeback. Matthew Wolff (USA) is following in a tie for 3rd place (4-under par 138).

DeChambeau achieved a remarkable 6-stroke victory at the notoriously difficult Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York, USA, last September, which was postponed by three months due to COVID-19. Leading with an 18 kg weight gain ‘bulk up,’ he quickly rose to the top of the PGA Tour’s longest hitters (322.7 yards), and the effect was clearly seen in majors. His maximum 356-yard drives are powerful in this tournament as well. Although he struggled with 2-over par on the first day, he recorded 1 eagle, 4 birdies, and 4 bogeys on this day.

Richard Bland is looking at the ball right after his tee shot on the 12th hole on the second day of the 121st US Open. San Diego, USA=Getty Images/Multivitz

Locally, the spotlight was on 48-year-old Bland’s ‘veteran surge.’ With 7 birdies and 3 bogeys, he posted a 4-under par daily best and set a new US Open record as the oldest 36-hole leader in history. He is a player who succeeded on his 478th attempt after 477 failures by winning the European Tour British Masters on the 16th of last month. This is his second US Open appearance since 2009, and he is aiming for the championship. He expressed confidence, saying, “My putting feels good,” and “An opportunity might come.”

World No. 2 Justin Thomas and Brooks Koepka joined the tie for 13th place, while No. 1 Dustin Johnson and the ‘oldest major champion’ Phil Mickelson (both USA) are tied for 30th place (2-over par 144). Mickelson is particularly challenging to become the sixth ‘career grand slam’ winner in global golf history. From Korea, Im Sung-jae (23) is tied for 30th, and Kim Si-woo (26, both CJ Logistics) is tied for 58th place (4-over par 146).