A day after posting one of the greatest opening-round major performances in history, Rickie Fowler wowed the crowd again Friday in Round 2 of the U.S. Open.
Following a record-setting day in Round 1 Thursday, shooting a 62, Fowler had a heck of an encore, shooting a second-round 68. Fowler's score of 130 through two days ties Martin Kaymer for the U.S. Open 36-hole scoring mark.
Roller-coaster Rickie
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 17, 2023
A colorful scorecard finds @RickieFowler in possession of the lead @USOpenGolf.
With a 62-68, he has tied the U.S. Open 36-hole scoring record pic.twitter.com/HQnAwGMrNe
Fowler also set the 36-hole Open record for birdies, hitting his 18th on the 17th hole Friday.
The day wasn't a breeze for Fowler, who bogeyed four holes on the back nine. However, he evened out his up-and-down scorecard, posting birdies on holes 15 and 17. Overall, Fowler has birdied 18 of 36 holes.
Rickie "Birdie" Fowler gets another one. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/1NEQgHZUaj
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 17, 2023
Entering Round 3 on Saturday, the 34-year-old Fowler holds a stroke lead (-10) over Wyndham Clark (-9). Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy (-8) slots in at third, tied with Xander Schauffele (-7), who finished tied with Fowler for the lead on Thursday.
Playing well and feeling even better, Fowler was unbothered by a heckler while shooting for par on hole seven. The heckler yelled, "What are you doing?" after the shot came up short, prompting Fowler to respond with a shoulder shrug, to the crowd's amusement.
"♂️" - @RickieFowler #USOpen pic.twitter.com/SZh4zLoove
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 16, 2023
Looking cool as a cucumber after two historic days of golf, Fowler is in the driver's seat, seeking his first major championship victory.
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