Hot McIlroy takes US Open by storm
Source: Agencies |
June 18, 2011, Saturday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
RORY McIlroy stretched his US Open lead to six strokes yesterday after a record-setting start to his second round at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland.
The 22-year-old Northern Irishman holed out his approach shot on the par-4 8th hole for eagle to reach 10-under-par at the 111th US Open, the fastest any player had ever reached double digits below par in the championship.
McIlroy also birdied the 4th and 6th holes before his spectacular eagle, where he landed his second shot about 18 feet past the hole and watched it trickle down a slope and curl into the cup.
Even playing partner, American Phil Mickelson applauded the shot by the Briton, who had led the US Masters two months ago by four strokes heading into the final round before blowing his chances with a last-day 80.
The sensational play by McIlroy, who had yet to make a bogey and held a three-shot lead overnight, was threatening to turn the year's second major into a rout.
Closest to the young Briton was former Masters champion Zach Johnson, who eagled the 6th hole and had two birdies to cover the front nine in 4-under 32, matching the score registered by McIlroy on a humid, overcast day.
Johnson, who posted an opening 71, stood at 4-under, one clear of his fellow American Robert Garrigus, who was 2-under through 11 holes.
Also at 3-under and yet to tee off was 2009 PGA champion Yang Yong-eun of South Korea.
Out on the course and tied for fifth place on 2-under were Masters winner Charl Schwartzel of South Africa, who was 1-over through eight holes, and Spain's Sergio Garcia, who was even as he made the turn.
Later starters who returned 2-under 69s in the first round, included British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen and Ryan Palmer.
The 22-year-old Northern Irishman holed out his approach shot on the par-4 8th hole for eagle to reach 10-under-par at the 111th US Open, the fastest any player had ever reached double digits below par in the championship.
McIlroy also birdied the 4th and 6th holes before his spectacular eagle, where he landed his second shot about 18 feet past the hole and watched it trickle down a slope and curl into the cup.
Even playing partner, American Phil Mickelson applauded the shot by the Briton, who had led the US Masters two months ago by four strokes heading into the final round before blowing his chances with a last-day 80.
The sensational play by McIlroy, who had yet to make a bogey and held a three-shot lead overnight, was threatening to turn the year's second major into a rout.
Closest to the young Briton was former Masters champion Zach Johnson, who eagled the 6th hole and had two birdies to cover the front nine in 4-under 32, matching the score registered by McIlroy on a humid, overcast day.
Johnson, who posted an opening 71, stood at 4-under, one clear of his fellow American Robert Garrigus, who was 2-under through 11 holes.
Also at 3-under and yet to tee off was 2009 PGA champion Yang Yong-eun of South Korea.
Out on the course and tied for fifth place on 2-under were Masters winner Charl Schwartzel of South Africa, who was 1-over through eight holes, and Spain's Sergio Garcia, who was even as he made the turn.
Later starters who returned 2-under 69s in the first round, included British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen and Ryan Palmer.
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