In much calmer afternoon conditions at Southern Hills, Will Zalatoris (65) and Mito Pereira (64) put on a display of glorious golf to cruise to the top of the leaderboard at -9 and -8 respectively. Zalatoris hit arguably the shot of the day at the 17th. After splatting his tee shot into the right hand rough, Zalatoris demonstrated his power and creativity with a high fade over the trees to seven feet out of heavy rough, before holing for a birdie.
Zalatoris made birdies from the left hand rough on the first hole and another from the right hand rough on the seventeenth. Describing the seventeenth, Zalatoris was humble. “I kinda got away with murder there.”
Pereira was equally as impressive. Had he holed from 7 feet on his last hole (the 9th) he would have had a share of the lead.
The most impressive round of the day was from Bubba Watson. The flamboyant American recorded an incredible 63 to catapult him into fourth place on -5.
Justin Thomas is three shots going into the third round after registering an excellent 67 at Southern Hills. Thomas made birdie at his 18th hole after plotting his way around the course in windy conditions to finish at -6. He conceded that he and his caddy ‘Bones’ had discussed “just hitting as many greens as possible” this morning.
Pre-tournament favourite, Scottie Scheffler, missed the halfway cut after carding a disappointing 75 today, finishing +6.
Englishman, Matt Fitzpatrick has put himself well in contention and sits just three behind the leader on -3.
Jon Rahm finished with a 69 but will certainly be here for the weekend on +2 for the tournament.
Rory McIlroy was unable to build on his 65 in the first round. Carding a 71, McIlroy finished on -4 and is still in contention for his first major win in eight years. In the same group, Tiger Woods battled through the pain to make the cut with a round in the sixties.