In the city where there is a new museum dedicated to Bob Dylan, times are changing. How else to explain the main table of leaders like Will Zalataris and Mita Pereira – without a victory between them in the main tour – at the summit? Zolataris is ahead of Pereira by one halfway through this U.S. PGA Championship.
64 of Pereira, a 27-year-old Chilean, was already on the list before Zalatoris bet on 65. Nine under par plays eight below par. On Friday afternoon, more and more benign conditions were noticeable, but these were still excellent performances. “I escaped murder several times,” Zalataris said.
Rory McIlroy, who was in a similar position in the draw, could not be better than 71. McIlroy remains in the picture in the Southern Hills – he is five behind Zalatoris – but looked and looked disappointed because he failed to take advantage a course that had little way of defending.
“There’s still a long way to go, there’s a lot of golf left,” McIlroy said. “In the next two days we will see a completely different golf course due to the direction of the wind. It will play in a completely different way. “
Buba Watson pushed McIlroy to a share of the fifth. The two-time champion Masters raged to 63, among whom were nine birds. So Watson jumped from plus two to minus five.
Tiger Woods delivered a sense of familiarity. Woods was sitting outside the cut line after a chaotic double brim on the third 11th. His response was formidable; Woods has spent two of the last six holes to publish 69 and keep participating in the tournament. “You can’t win a tournament if you miss a step,” Woods said.
Justin Thomas started this week’s U.S. PGA Championship, battling sinus problems and allergies. He explained why due to the time of lack of rough analysis it was sometimes problematic to hire his father as a coach. Until Thursday, Thomas had never played in competitions at the Southern Hills.
Sometimes sport reminds us all to ignore all available evidence. Thomas played in the harshest weather in Tulsa. However, like the others, the 2017 champion spent 67 rounds in a row. He should be thrilled with the six smaller ones.
“Although I played well yesterday, today I played very, very well,” Thomas said. “The conditions were obviously very difficult. I remained very patient, trying to get into my little world and get into the zone, and then just trying to execute each shot as best I could. I felt I did a great job and was glad I had a good round to show it.
“I like this golf course. I feel like I’m playing well. We are halfway, so it is still a long way to home, but I am very, very happy with where everything is, and the mood and state of mind in which I am. Thomas was right when he spoke of mental strength. He showed a lot of it; delivering just one bullet in the second round in gusty winds was extremely impressive.
The next case for giving up the pre-tournament emotions of golfers was delivered by Matt Fitzpatrick. The Englishman believes that he is in the shape of his life, but was hardly cheerful at first glance at this great place.
“Dad called me and asked, ‘What does the course look like?’ and no offense to America’s PGA here, but I said, “It’s a typical PGA, it’s long and tough, and just not my cup of tea,” Fitzpatyk explained.
“Honestly, this year I’ve gotten a lot longer and it’s shown a lot the first two days, the guys I’ve played with, the clubs I’ve hammered into the holes. Hopefully, this is a sign that for me things are changing a bit and will open a few more doors on other golf courses. ”68-69 Fitzpatrick means a unit of three less.
Brooks Koepka, who looked confident he would last only 36 holes after Thursday 75, improved by eight shots after returning to the track. John Ram was thrilled with 69, which moved him to plus two. It would be foolish to dismiss the Spaniard.
Among those who missed the result was world number one and Masters champion Scotty Scheffler, who beat his bag with a truncheon during Friday morning’s attack. Sergio Garcia, Ian Polter, Adam Scott, Martin Kaimer and Dustin Johnson received identical fates. Reputation is nothing here.
