World No.3 Rory McIlroy missed the US Open cut, and he had plenty of mates.
The cut was set at 6-over with Phil Mickelson and Geoff Ogilvy just missing out at 7-over, McIlroy, Justin Rose, and Patrick Reed at 8-over, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen at 10-over, and Rickie Fowler at 11 to name a few.
After two rounds the lead sat with world six Dustin Johnson at 4-under, with the 624th ranked Andrew Landry a shot off the pace.
They make a chalk and cheese comparison apart from their world rankings.
Johnson’s 32 next Wednesday, playing in his ninth US Open and 29th major.
Landry is 28, making his majors debut after sectionally qualifying through Memphis.
Johnson had carded five birdies and just one bogey in perfect conditions over 36 holes, Landry played his first round in putrid weather interrupted by three rain and lighting delays, but managed six birdies and two bogeys – sensational golf on a brutal course.
It looked as though his wheels were going to fall off when he went out in the second round with a double and two bogeys to be even with the card.
But he came home with three flawless birdies – again very impressive.
Johnson has averaged 324 yard drives, Landry 319.
Johnson’s greens in regulation 31 of 36 for 86 per cent, Landry 26 of 36 greens in regulation at 72 per cent.
Lee Westwood has played 72 majors without a win, and he let a golden opportunity go by to set up a commanding lead.
His first round 67 was followed by two early birdies in his second round to be alone at 5-under on top of the leaderboard.
But the Englishman hit the wall with six bogeys in nine holes to be in the black, but he fought back with birdies on the final two holes to finish at 1-under and still in contention.
How the world’s top 10 had fared after 36 holes:
(1) Jason Day (5-over) with 76 69 including four birdies, seven bogeys, and a double.
(2) Jordan Spieth (4-over) with 72 72 including five birdies and nine bogeys.
(3) Rory McIlroy (8-over) with 77 71 including five birdies, nine bogeys, and two doubles,
(4) Bubba Watson (5-over) with 68 76 including five birdies eight bogeys, and a double.
(5) Rickie Fowler (11-over) with 76 75 including four birdies, 11 bogeys, and two doubles.
(6) Dustin Johnson (4-under) 67 69 including five birdies and one bogey.
(7) Henrik Stenson (DNF) He needed to turn up for his final three holes after rain delays, but Stenson was 10-over at the time, after shooting a first round 69.
(8) Adam Scott 71 69 including six birdies and six bogeys.
(9) Danny Willet (5-over) 75 70 including six birdies, nine bogeys and a double.
(10) Justin Rose (8-over) 72 76 with five birdies and 13 bogeys
And so the 116th US Open leaderboard after two completed rounds appeared as:
4-under – Dustin Johnson 67 69.
3-under – Andrew Landry 66 71.
2-under – Sergio Garcia 68 70, Scott Piercy 68 79, Gregory Bourdy 71 67, Shane Lowry 68 70.
1-under – Daniel Summerhays 74 65, Andrew Sullivan 71 68, Jim Furyk 71 68, Lee Westwood 67 72.
The third round teed off eight hours later due to the time lost on the opening day, with putting the highlight. Quite often the longer putts required 12 to 15 feet borrow, even the shorter putts needed three to five feet.
At one stage late in the day, the first nine on the leaderboard had played 198 majors between them, and not one was a champion.
Dustin Johnson has played 28 majors, Shane Lowry 13, Sergio Garcia 70, Andrew Landry on debut, Lee Westwoof seven, the current record, Andy Sullivan four, Gregory Bourdy seven, Derek Fathauer one, and Daniel Summerhays three.
That was until Jason Day sensationally burst on the scene.
The PGA champion and world No.1 started the third round at 5-over, having avoided the cut by one.
Day was by far the biggest mover on moving day with four flawless birdies in his first five holes to turn in 31, and came home with an eagle and two bogeys for a 66 to be right in the mix.
And debutant Landry keeps showing impressive composure under intense pressure to stay within sniffing distance of the lead.
The US Open leaderboard at the completion of day three:
5-under – Steve Lowry with five holes to complete third round tomorrow.
3-under – Andrew Landry with six to play.
3-under – Dustin Johnson with six to play.
2-under – Lee Westwood with three to play.
1-under – Sergio Garcia with five to play.
Others:
1-over – Jason Day complete.
1-over – Bryson DeChambeau complete.
3-over – Adam Scott with three to play.
4-over – Jordan Spieth complete.
4-over – Matt Kuchar complete.
5-over – Bubba Watson with a hole to play.
An “unshakeable” Scottie Scheffler has claimed his second Masters green jacket in three years, carding a four-under-par 68 to finish four shots clear of…
A day after setting a tournament record in the Masters, Tiger Woods has suffered an unwanted milestone at Augusta National. Woods insisted he could…
Tiger Woods is on the prowl for a sixth green jacket after penning another glorious chapter in his storied career with a record-breaking 24th…
Bryson DeChambeau has laid some demons to rest with a stunning back-nine birdie barrage to seize the first-round lead at the weather-hit Masters. The…
A year after being persona non grata at Augusta National, Australian golf legend Greg Norman is back at the Masters, declaring "the boss is…
Australian golf star Min Woo Lee has revealed he will play the Masters with a broken finger after suffering the freak injury in the…
