After struggling to an opening-round 4-over 74 at Erin Hills, Hideki Matsuyama was sitting at T82 and in danger of missing the cut at the 117th U.S. Open.
What a difference a day makes.
Matsuyama, paired with first round leader Rickie Fowler, birdied six of his first eight holes (1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8), on his way to a bogey-free 7-under 65.
The sizzling second-round 65 moved the Japanese superstar a whopping 74 spots up the leaderboard (from T82 to T8), while earning the ‘Performance of the Day.’
A 7-under 65 in Round 2 helped Hideki Matsuyama erase a 2-over 74 from Round 1 and earned him Friday's @Lexus Performance of the Day. pic.twitter.com/5JlrbXkyE1
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 17, 2017
Following an historic nine-tournament stretch where Matsuyama won five worldwide titles (with two runner-ups), highlighted by a successful defense in Phoenix, the 25-year-old phenom has cooled off considerably (no top 10s in seven starts since).
But with a proven track record, a structured swing, and a head of confidence, Matsuyama is in prime position to secure his first major championship.
