BROOKLINE, MA – Collin Morikawa was as hot as the Boston sun on Friday, producing a 4-under 66 to take a share of the lead into the weekend at the 122nd U.S. Open.
The 25-year-old Cal-Berkeley product entered his second day at The Country Club three shots back of overnight leader Adam Hadwin, but after signing for a scorecard featuring one bogey against five birdies, it was Morikawa’s name positioned atop the leaderboard on 5-under par, alongside Joel Dahmen (67).
“I’ve got to focus on tomorrow. I’ve got to stick to my game plan,” said Morikawa, 25, who could become the youngest player in history to win three different majors.
“I’ve got to make sure I don’t run out of steam, which I kind of have been through that kind of little stretch after nine holes.
“I’ve just got to figure out a way to focus a little bit deeper and really get dialed in for the next 36.”
Dahmen, one of 23 qualifiers to make the cut, produced a 3-under 67 and will join Morikawa in Saturday’s final pairing.
“I don’t know. It’s kind of been a whirlwind really,” said Dahmen, who owns one PGA Tour title.
“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. Yeah, I’m excited. My game is obviously pretty good right now. I handled nerves pretty well out there today.
“I don’t know, it will be a big weekend. Yeah, who — we don’t tee off until 3:45 tomorrow. I typically have to be home at 5:00 for dinner, so this will be different for sure.”
One further back was defending champion Jon Rahm and 2011 U.S. Open winner Rory McIlroy, who headlined a five-player logjam, tied for third on 4 under.
Rahm shot 67, highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 14th. Afterwards, he cited a fortunate draw and being part of the good-weather wave.
“Yeah, we definitely got in the right side of the wave this time,” said Rahm. “I don’t know how much the scoring difference is, but it went from looking really bad, maybe rain and thunder, and we didn’t know what was going to happen, and extremely windy, to we kind of made the turn and went to 2, got to 3, and we had perfect sunshine and the wind almost started to die down a little bit. Especially the last few holes.
“It was kind of about as enjoyable as a U.S. Open walk can be really. When you have two guys playing as good as we both were, I think it makes it even better for us, as well.”
McIlroy overcame an early double bogey to post 69 and remain in contention.
“Yeah, after 36 holes in a major championship, that’s all you want to do is put yourself right in the mix going into the weekend,” said McIlroy. “For a little part of the day there, it seemed like I was going to be a few more behind, but I dug deep and played the last eight holes really, really well.
“That was the goal. After I bogeyed 10, I just wanted to try to shoot under par. I had some chances coming up. Just played a really clean eight holes, which was pleasing. Hit fairways, hit greens, gave myself chances. Got myself right back in the tournament.”
Aaron Wise (68) and Beau Hossler (67) were the others in the T3 group.
Reigning Masters champion Scottie Scheffler (67) was among a group of five more tied for eighth on 3 under.
“I just stayed really patient. I was hitting it good pretty much most of the day,” said Scheffler, already a four-time winner in 2022.
“Two silly bogeys early in the round, but outside of that I hit it really good. I was in position most of the day. If a few more putts would have fallen in versus around the edge, it would have been a really special day. But 3-under was a good score for me, especially being 2-over through 6.”
Overnight leader Adam Hadwin settled on 2 under after a 72. He was tied with Sam Burns (67) and Matt Fitzpatrick (70).
Xander Schauffele (69), Will Zalatoris (70), Davis Riley (67) and Keegan Bradley (69) were among a logjam of eight players tied for 16th on 1 under.
Marquee names who made the cut, but have work to do on moving day, include Brooks Koepka (E), Hideki Matsuyama (E), Justin Thomas (+1), Dustin Johnson (+1), Justin Rose (+1), Patrick Reed (+1), Gary Woodland (+2), Bryson DeChambeau (+2), Jordan Spieth (+2), Max Homa (+2), Adam Scott (+2), Patrick Cantlay (+3) and Tyrrell Hatton (+3).
The cut line was +3, and headliners missing the weekend included Webb Simpson (+4), Shane Lowry (2019), Billy Horschel (+4), James Piot (+4), Tony Finau (+5), Cameron Smith (+6), Louis Oosthuizen (+6), Viktor Hovland (+7) and Phil Mickelson (+11).
2022 U.S. Open Leaderboard
Top 10 Leaders: Round 2
Pos-Player-To Par (Rd 2)
1. Collin Morikawa -5 (-4)
1. Joel Dahmen -5 (-3)
3. Jon Rahm -4 (-3)
3. Rory McIlroy -4 (-1)
3. Hayden Buckley -4 (-2)
3. Aaron Wise -4 (-2)
3. Beau Hossler -4 (-3)
8. Nick Hardy -3 (-2)
8. Scottie Scheffler -3 (-3)
8. Matthew NeSmith -3 (-1)
8. Patrick Rodgers -3 (-1)
8. Brian Harman -3 (-1)
World Top-10
Rank-Player-Score (Pos)
1. Scottie Scheffler -3 (T8)
2. Jon Rahm -4 (T3)
3. Rory McIlroy -4 (T3)
4. Patrick Cantlay +3 (T55)
5. Justin Thomas +1 (T31)
6. Cameron Smith +6 (MC)
7. Collin Morikawa -5 (T1)
8. Viktor Hovland +7 (MC)
9. Sam Burns -2 (T13)
10. Jordan Spieth +2 (T40)
Video: Round-2 Highlights
The best shots from Round 2 of the 2022 U.S. Open at The Country Club in Brookline, Mass., which includes an ace from Cameron Young.
Round-3 Pairings
2:39 pm – Burns (-2), Fitzpatrick (-2)
2:50 pm – Rodgers (-3), Harman (-3)
3:01 pm – Scheffler (-3), NeSmith (-3)
3:12 pm – Hossler (-4), Hardy (-3)
3:23 pm – McIlroy (-4), Wise (-4)
3:34 pm – Rahm (-4), Buckley (-4)
3:45 pm – Morikawa (-5), Dahmen (-5)
Odds To Win
1. Collin Morikawa (+300)
2. Jon Rahm (+450)
2. Rory McIlroy (+450)
4. Joel Dahmen (+750)
5. Scottie Scheffler (+1000)
