That gave the British Open champion a one-shot lead at the midway point of the second round.
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2010 PGA champion Martin Kaymer and Patrick Reed are only four shots back of the leaders at five under, while 2016 British Open champion Henrik Stenson is at six under. The first-round leader, Walker played the closing par-5s unconventionally. All he cared about was being in the mix. “It’s all about being there for Sunday afternoon, and so far, so good”. “You’re not winning anything on a Thursday and a Friday, but you can put yourself in the wrong direction early days”. The two-over cut line claimed a few notable stars, including U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson. He was headed for a missed cut for the first time in almost 18 months on USA soil.
Phil Mickelson was headed that direction, too. One day after he salvaged a poor start with a 71, Mickelson began the second round by hitting his tee shot so far left that it went over the fence, onto Shunpike Road and actually caromed down another street called Baltusrol Way. A fifth shot ended up wide of the green and Mickelson eventually made triple-bogey 7.
The biggest fight with Stenson was coping with an awkward start. “But at least you’ve got the belief that you can do it”.
Earlier on Friday, Martin Kaymer talked about the importance of keeping the voices in his head positive when the conditions are hard like they were at Baltusrol to start a wet and windy day; but beyond this week’s Grand Slam finale that’s the story of Stenson’s career.
Only the top 70 golfers will continue playing through the weekend.
SPRINGFIELD, N.J. (AP) – Jordan Spieth warmed up on the range, rode the side streets in a van to get to the 10th tee and was ready to go Friday in the PGA Championship when he had to stand around for almost an hour because of a rain delay. 12-13 – his third and fourth holes, respectively. McIlroy needed four shots from 210 yard out on the par-5 18th and he took five to miss the cut by one. “I will stay as patient as I can and try to turn it around”.
Shane Lowry’s hopes of making his Ryder Cup debut suffered another blow as the US Open runner-up missed the cut for the second major running following rounds of 72 and 73.
The Australian’s title defence caught fire at the halfway mark of the second round, following a first nine made up of three birdies, a bogey and a double bogey. He was only four shots behind in his bid to match Ben Hogan as the only players to win two straight majors at age 40. Stenson’s longtime swing coach Pete Cowen said in Scotland. His next shot nearly landed in the backyard of a home adjoining the golf course.
Calling out Michael Phelps and fellow German Dirk Nowitzki and as some of the best Olympians he wants to see and meet, Kaymer sounds as though he’s looking forward to going to Rio as much as his ongoing run at the PGA Championship.
“I watched Lionel Messi a couple times when Barcelona played against Bayern Munich and I went to the stadium, just to see the class, the natural talent of an athlete, is incredible”, Kaymer said.
“I would have never hit it if I was not told it was OK by a rules official”, Spieth said.
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No matter. He still came out firing. “I work a lot on my game, and I think when I get it in good order, I have been able to keep it going for quite some time and have some long stretches where I’ve been playing well”.
