PEBBLE BEACH, California, (Reuters) – Graeme McDowell emerged from a tightly packed field to snatch the early clubhouse lead in the U.S. Open yesterday while several top players battled with the challenging Pebble Beach course.
The Northern Irishman sank two monster birdie putts in a round of 68 that put him at three-under-par, two strokes ahead of a chasing pack that included the unflappable South African Ernie Els and Japanese teenager Ryo Ishikawa.
Big-hitting Dustin Johnson, who won the last two regular PGA Tour events at Pebble Beach, led the American charge as Tiger Woods struggled on the same course he ripped up a decade ago when he won the U.S. Open by a record 15 shots.
It was partly because of Woods’s runaway victory in 2000 that tournament organizers decided to toughen up the layout for this year’s championship by tightening fairways, extending the rough and building more bunkers to add to the unique natural hazards of the surrounding beaches and cliffs.
Woods shot a 72 despite struggling off the tee and with his putter. It was well off his best but was two shots better than his opening round 74 when he failed to make a single birdie.
He finished the day seven shots behind McDowell and, while he has never won a major from that far back, the world number one was still talking up his chances of a 15th major.
“I’m right there in the championship. I just need to make a few more birdies, a few more putts on the weekend and I’ll be right there,” said Woods.
U.S. Masters champion Phil Mickelson, who could overtake Woods as the world’s number one player tomorrow, started his second round late but immediately charged up the leaderboard with five birdies on the front nine to reach one-under.
McDowell, his confidence soaring after he recently won the Wales Open, made six birdies, including two putts over 20 feet, but also three bogeys, including one at his last when he led by three to give him his best chance yet of winning a major.
“I’d be lying if I hadn’t thought about picking up the trophy on Sunday afternoon,” said McDowell “I think that’s only natural but I’m trying to be very realistic about it.”
Els, who won the U.S. Open in 1994 and 1997, put himself in contention for a third title with a 68 on a treacherous course that tested every part of his game and mind but still offered plenty of tantalising opportunities for birdies.
“It’s almost links golf on steroids, with the rough and the grass around the bunkers,” he said. “I needed a round like today to get me back in the tournament.”
