FARMINGDALE, N.Y. — With a record-setting show, Ricky Barnes has clearly regained his USGA championship stroke.
The 2002 U.S. Amateur champion, Barnes set the U.S. Open 36-hole scoring record by finishing two trips around Bethpage Black in 8-under 132. He completed his second round Saturday morning, making three birdies in nine holes for a 65.
The previous 36-hole record was 133, set by Jim Furyk and Vijay Singh at Olympia Fields in 2003.
"I'm in a good spot," Glover said.
Barnes led Lucas Glover by one shot; Glover had a chance at matching the U.S. Open and all-time major championship record with a 20-foot birdie putt on his final hole Saturday morning, only to leave it short and settle for a bogey-free 64.
"I'm very pleased," said Glover, who didn't even make the cut in any of his three previous U.S. Open appearances. "Probably as good a round of golf as I've played. I'm very excited."
First-round leader Mike Weir was two shots off Barnes' lead at 6 under. A threesome of players, including David Duval, were tied for fourth at 3 under through 36 holes.
"I'm just happy I've given them a good show so far," Duval said.
Buena Vista, Ga.'s Matt Nagy finished his second round with a 10-over 80. He will miss the cut with a two-round total of 16-over 156.
Nagy, who played the final 12 holes of his second round Saturday morning, finished with much better play than early in the round. Nagy was 11-over after 11 holes. But after a pair of pars, he made back-to-back birdies, then finished bogey-birdie-bogey.
Tiger Woods was nowhere in sight on the leaderboard.
The defending champion and world's No. 1 finally got to start his second round Saturday, after slogging his way to a 74 in his opening 18 holes. Woods lost four strokes in the final four holes he played Friday morning, completing his opening round before sunshine arrived and conditions improved mightily at Bethpage Black.
By the time Woods got back on the course, he was 12 shots behind Barnes and likely needed a score somewhere around par to reach the third round — whenever it gets played.
Woods was even par through his first two holes Saturday, as the sun continued to shine on Bethpage.
It wasn't expected to last.
More rain was predicted to start falling sometime around midday Saturday, with up to 1 inch possible according to the National Weather Service. Much work has been done at Bethpage to get rid of the water that turned the park into a pool on Thursday, but any significant new rainfall would likely make the Black unplayable once again.
The USGA was hoping to get the second round completed Saturday, possibly even start the third round around 5:30 p.m., and then play Sunday to crown a winner and continue the tradition of having the tournament end on Father's Day.
"Ain't gonna this year," Duval said.
Phil Mickelson rode waves of emotional support throughout his 9½-hour, 29-hole marathon Friday from fans who adored him seven years ago at Bethpage and seem even more attracted to him now. It's been less than a month since Amy Mickelson revealed that she has breast cancer, and she sent her husband to New York with one request: Bring home a trophy.
"I just love playing golf here," Mickelson said. "I love coming up to this area. I think all sports teams love playing in front of these people here. They are some of the best sports fans in the country."
Few of them had arrived when play restarted Saturday. Perhaps he needed more out there.
Mickelson took a drop on the way to making bogey at the par-5 13th for the second straight day, and wound up shooting even par 70 to go to 1 under for the tournament.
"I'm only what, six back? We're only halfway through and we're all going to be playing under the same conditions now," Mickelson said. "I like the position I'm in."
E-Mail
Print
@Nyx.CommentBody@