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5 things we learned Friday at the 2022 US Open
The leaderboard tightened considerably at the top, on day two of the 2022 U.S. Open. 5 under par became the new standard for excellence, where two sat atop the board. Five more reached 4 under, with eight more at three deep. A total of 23 golfers broke par after two days, but now comes the weekend and the superintendent’s revenge. Watch for trickier hole locations and a few more big numbers.
In the middle of the field, the cut was set at +3, which meant that 54 golfers would advance to the weekend, while 92 more would drive past The Country Club gates one last time. Cameron Young made the most spirited run at survival. Following two bogeys and a quad to start his final nine, the former Demon Deacon went birdie, ace, birdie, birdie, to get to +4. His attempt at another three on the 18th went wanting, and Young was on the outside, gazing in.
That's a 1??!
Cameron Young with the 48th hole-in-one in #USOpen history. pic.twitter.com/5YjmDDGOSZ
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 17, 2022
1. 2013 US Amateur Experience Edge Goes to Scheffler
With all the attention that the important golf media (aka this writer) paid to Matt Fitzpatrick, Scottie Scheffler was overlooked. The 2022 Masters champion was three matches shy of earning the 2013 US Amateur crown. Scheffler qualified out of match play with a 144 total, 10 behind the medalists. In match play, he dispatched Stewart Jolly, Brandon Hagy, and Matthias Schwab, before falling on the 18th green to co-medalist Brady Watt.
On Friday at Brookline, Scheffler played his first six hole in +2 figures, and was staring at a missed cut. As major champions do, the Texan found his game. The next twelve holes saw three birdies and one eagle join eight pars, and Scheffler moved from two-over to three-under par. Fitzpatrick survived a three-bogey run with a pair of closing birdies, totalled par for day two, and ended 36 at two-under par, one back of Scheffler.
Trust what works.
Describe Scottie Scheffler's action using one emoji below ??
4D swings are powered by @Cisco. pic.twitter.com/scnhQY74Of
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 17, 2022
2. Longhorn Nation is Chanting “Vick”
Travis Vick led three amateurs into the final 36 holes, on the wings of his Friday round of one-under par. Vick began the day at even par, and parlayed four birdies against three birdies to move inside the top twenty. Behind the UTexas golfer stood fellow amateurs Austin Greaser at +2, and Sam Bennett and Stewart Hagestad at +3. Greaser qualified into the Open as runner-up in the 2021 US Amateur, Hagestad as 2021 US Mid-Amateur champion, while Vick and Bennett qualified in through preliminary rounds.
Fred Biondi was one of the amateurs who missed the cut, but he’ll take this memory away from Brookline.
Making those Gator fans proud with a hole-out eagle! #USOpen@FredBiondi | @GatorsGolf pic.twitter.com/johWA3nCCy
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 17, 2022
3. Where’d these guys come from?
Hayden Buckley, Aaron Wise, and Beau Hossler sit on four-under par after 36 holes. Nick Hardy, Matthew NeSmith, and Patrick Rodgers lie in wait at three deep. All are decorated golfers, having earned their stripes in NCAA, Amateur individual, and Amateur team play. Now they find themselves in rarefied air, near the top of the leader’s chart at the US Open. Every kid’s dream, for sure, but every adult’s nightmare. The eyes of the world are on them, but this is what they’ve trained, sacrificed, and sweated for. As we saw in May, a Mito Pereira can come agonizingly close to stunning the world with a major title from nowhere. Can one of the aforementioned names take the next step and achieve it? Perhaps, with shots like this one.
In the house at -4! @hbuckley13 finishes his second round with an unlikely birdie. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/4gUs3iomvt
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 17, 2022
4. Where everybody knows your name
Defending champion Jon Rahm is at four under par, alongside 2011 winner Rory McIlroy. Brooks Koepka is a bit farther away but, after 67 on Friday, is positioned well to avoid the spiked greens that the later starters will face on day three. As a two-time Open champion, Koepka knows how to resolve this sort of matter in his favor. At minus-one are are Will Zalatoris and Xander Schauffele. Z and X are two of the players most often mentioned as Best Player To Never Win A Major, and each would love to shed that title. Our money is on one of these five players, or the guy that you’ll read about in point number five. Let’s have some fun for the next two days.
The first #USOpen eagle of Jon Rahm's pro career moves him within a shot of the lead. pic.twitter.com/PnMgPZEJ2K
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 17, 2022
5. The final pairing includes two fan favorites
Fans love Collin Morikawa because he smiles all the time, and he is a proven winner. With two major title to his credit, a win at the US Open would leave him a Masters shy of a career grand slam. Fans love Joel Dahmen because he wears a 1970s B-Movie stash and a wide-brimmed sombrero, along with a razor-sharp wit. If this were a night of stand-up, our money would be on Dahmen. It’s not, so we have to ride with Morikawa. That said, do we hope and pray that Dahmen will keep up and shine? Absolutely. After all, he just needs to keep doing this to stay in the hunt and keep us smiling.
From nearly 60 feet…DRAINO! @Joel_Dahmen regains a share of the lead. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/TOS4cMEPNl
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 17, 2022
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Scottie Scheffler arrested, charged, and released after traffic incident at Valhalla
As first reported by ESPN’s Jeff Darlington, Scottie Scheffler has been detained by police on the way to Valhalla Golf Club this morning due to a traffic misunderstanding.
“Breaking News: World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler has been detained by police in handcuffs after a misunderstanding with traffic flow led to his attempt to drive past a police officer into Valhalla Golf Club. The police officer attempted to attach himself to Scheffler’s car, and Scheffler then stopped his vehicle at the entrance to Valhalla. The police officer then began to scream at Scheffler to get out of the car.
“When Scheffler exited the vehicle, the officer shoved Scheffler against the car and immediately placed him in handcuffs. He is now being detained in the back of a police car.”
Darlington also posted a video of the dramatic moment which you can view below:
Here is video that I took of Scheffler being arrested: https://t.co/8UPZKvPCCf pic.twitter.com/9Tbp2tyrJh
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) May 17, 2024
There was an unrelated accident at around 5am, which is what may have caused some of the misunderstanding of which traffic was moving.
Speaking on ESPN, Darlington broke down exactly what he witnessed in full detail:
“Entering Valhalla Golf Club this morning, we witness a car pull around us that was Scottie Scheffler. Scottie Scheffler has been detained by police officers, placed in the back of a police vehicle in handcuffs after he tried to pull around what he believed to be security, ended up being police officers.
“They told him to stop, when he didn’t stop, the police officer attached himself to the vehicle, and Scheffler then travelled another 10 yards before stopping the car.”
“The police officer then grabbed at his arm, attempting to pull him out of the car, before Scheffler eventually opened the door, at which point the police officer pulled Scheffler out of the car, pushed him up against the car and immediately placed him in handcuffs. Scheffler was then walked over to the police car, placed in the back in handcuffs.
“Very stunned about what was happening, he looked towards me as he was in those handcuffs and said ‘please help me’. He very clearly didn’t know what was happening in the situation.”
“It moved very quickly, very rapidly, very aggressively. He was detained in that police vehicle for approximately 20 minutes. The police officers at that point did not understand that Scottie Scheffler was a golfer in the tournament, nor of course that he is the number one player in the world.”
Full details on Scottie Scheffler’s arrest, excellent reporting by @JeffDarlington.
— Kevin Negandhi (@KevinNegandhi) May 17, 2024
Due to the accident, play has been delayed this morning. Scheffler’s current tee time for the second round of the PGA Championship is 10:08 a.m.
Scheffler’s mugshot following the incident:
Scottie Scheffler’s mugshot from Louisville Metropolitan Department of Corrections. pic.twitter.com/bcJn54Nu5x
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) May 17, 2024
*Update*
Scheffler has been charged with 2nd Degree assault of a police officer, criminal mischief 3rd degree, reckless driving and disregarding signals from an officer directing traffic.
Scottie Scheffler charges
– 2nd Degree assault of Police officer
– Criminal Mischief 3rd degree
– Reckless driving
– Disregard signals from officer directing traffic pic.twitter.com/bX8mFF2Xay— sam stone (@sam_rock_stone) May 17, 2024
*Update*
According to ESPN+, Scottie Scheffler has been released and is now on his way to the golf course.
*Update*
Scottie Scheffler arrives at Valhalla ahead of his 10:08 a.m second round tee time.
After being detained by police earlier this morning, Scottie Scheffler was released and is back at Valhalla Golf Club for his second round of the PGA Championship. pic.twitter.com/KvS5Hwo6PS
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) May 17, 2024
*Update*
The PGA of America released this statement regarding the fatal accident, which diverted traffic at Valhalla this morning.
“This morning we were devastated to learn that a worker with one of our vendors was tragically struck and killed by a shuttle bus outside Valhalla Golf Club. This is heartbreaking to all of us involved with the PGA Championship. We extend our sincere condolences to their family and loved ones.”
Per the PGA Tour, Scheffler released the following statement.
Scottie Scheffler’s statement prior to Round 2 @PGAChampionship. pic.twitter.com/x26RFOqCIa
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) May 17, 2024
We will update this developing story as more information on the situation is revealed.
More from the 19th Hole
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- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Tiger explains why golf has “negative connotations” for daughter Sam
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Five Things We Learned: Thursday at the PGA Championship
It was a year ago that we the north, found ourselves with toes and fingers crossed. The Oak Hill PGA Championship of 2023 finished on schedule, despite the iffiness of weather in upstate New York. It’s 75 degrees today across the Niagara Frontier, which makes it two out of three (2022 was the same way) for sultry, unseasonal weather.
Louisville is, let’s be honest, a much better bet for a May PGA Championship, and Valhalla is an exciting venue for the year’s second major championship on the men’s circuit. Brooks Koepka came in as the defending champion, and Rory McIlroy arrived as the last golfer to win a major at the Nicklaus-designed course. That was a decade ago, and lord, have things changed in the world and golf.
Day one at Valhalla offered walk-in eagles, buckets of birdies, and potential for a record-low, winner’s score. We’ll get right to the meat of the matter, with five things that we learned. After all, if you can make par from the muck, anything’s possible in the land of the horses.
Cam Smith made par from here …#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/BY5ZFCiH45
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2024
1. X marks this spot
Xander Schauffele went head-to-head last Sunday with Rory McIlroy, at least on the practice green. By the end of the round, Rors had won for a fourth time at Charlotte, while the X Man sat scratching his head, wondering what went wrong. Fortunately for us, Xander didn’t sulk.
The San Diego State alumnus absolutely torched Jack’s track with 62. Four birdies on the front nine, were followed by five more on the inward side. Schauffele never looked as if bogey was a consideration, and he might have gone even lower. Despite winning the Covid-delayed Gold medal at the Japan Olympics (I consider it a major, btdubs) Schauffele continues to chase an initial men’s major, and the validation that it brings. If 62 doesn’t get you over the hump, who knows what will.
Cam Smith made par from here …#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/BY5ZFCiH45
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2024
2. Scottie starts strong? Aye.
Last month, Mr. Scheffler won a second green jacket at Augusta National. Last year in Rochester, Mr. Scheffler tied for second in this event. Mr. Scheffler began play today with a walk-in eagle, a one-hop affair that never looked as if it might go anywhere but to its home. Scheffler had a few rough holes, but that’s to be expected from a new dad. Each time he made bogey, he bounced back with birdie, so he has that short memory that winners crave. Surprisingly, Scheffler failed to manage one last birdie at the reachable 18th. Perhaps that miss will motivate him in round two.
Scottie’s shot was so nice we had to see it twice ?#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/eR1UUsyi3a
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2024
3. LIV Check-In
It’s good to check in on the departed from time to time, to ensure that the fellows formerly known as PGA Tour members are doing well. It’s safe to say that some of them can still play. Defending champion Brooks Koepka posted 67 on the day, He had an eagle and three birdies on the day, with only a stumble at the 17th. He’s tied for 7th. Bryson DeChambeau made an eagle of his own, but also had a bogey, at the 12th hole. He cohabits eleventh position with Cameron Smith, who ALSO had a bogey on his card. They are one shot behind Koepka, and a fistful more behind the leader.
ON THE MONEY ?
Bryson DeChambeau for eagle! #PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/Gz24VikAGQ
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2024
4. Sahith and Tony at Schauffele’s heels
Both Finau and Theegala represent a special sort of athletic golfer. Their power and their charisma blend to draw golf fans to their groups. Let’s be honest, too, and say that they don’t look like the traditional professional golfer. As much as Tiger Woods did in the 1990s, they have the power to bring greater diversity to the sport.
In terms of their play today, well, only Xander was better. Finau had a clean card, with six birdies and twelve pars. Theegala had seven birdies, ten pars, and one bogey. Each combined power and finesse to insert themselves squarely in contention, ahead of round two. How will they, and Xander as well, manage the afternoon putting surface on Friday? That’s the great unknown!
SAHITH. THEEGALA. ?
This hole out puts him in a tie for the lead early at the #PGAChamp.
? @PGAChampionship pic.twitter.com/s3vLZNBQI7
— Golf Channel (@GolfChannel) May 16, 2024
5. All those other guys are here!
Rory, Tom Kim, Collin, and Viktor are all at minus-three or lower. Valhalla may not be a traditional golf course, but it is the type of course that the world’s best play well. McIlroy currently sits at minus-five, tied with Robert MacIntyre, Kim, and three others in fourth position. Maverick McNealy finished fast to reach the same figure, as did Tom Hoge. Morikawa closed with birdie to join the sextet at five below. Both Scheffler and Morikawa finished their rounds late on Thursday, meaning they should see smoother greens on Friday morning. If someone is a betting soul, wiser wagers could not be placed on better names than those two, two-time, major champions. Rory will tee off in Friday’s afternoon wave but, hey, he’s Rory, and he won going away last week at Quail Hollow, a course not unlike Valhalla.
The 2020 PGA Champion is making moves.
A solid approach shot from Collin Morikawa ?#PGAChamp pic.twitter.com/DpD7QNfbSM
— PGA Championship (@PGAChampionship) May 16, 2024
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R
Jun 18, 2022 at 1:27 pm
Mike Tirico should be removed from ever speaking on TV again.
He has no class, and his voice and tone are exactly what Brits hate about Yanks. Get rid!!!! The worst commentator ever!!!