Event of the Day: U.S. Open Day 2
Our event of the day is the second round of the 118th U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, New York. Known as the toughest test in golf, this year’s tournament concludes on Sunday. Organisers will be hoping for a better outcome than in 2004, the last time that this major was hosted at Shinnecock Hills. The par-3 7th green was described as "unplayable", and course conditions led to a final leader-board where only winner Retief Goosen and runner-up Phil Mickelson finished under par. It is the first year that the event will use the recently introduced two-hole aggregate playoff round, which will take place in case there is a tie after 72 holes.
Last year’s US Open champion is Brooks Koepka, whose score of 16 under par matched the course record at Erin Hills, set by Rory McIlroy in 2011 at the Congressional Country Club. After an interesting opening round, we have a fascinating day two to look forward to. The conditions so far have made for a slightly unusual opening day, with winds reaching up to 30mph on the first day - causing issues for spectators and competitors alike. The current leader of the men’s world rankings, Dustin Johnson, shares the lead with thee other players after the first round, on one under par. England’s 42-year-old Ian Poulter, who holed three birdies and shot only two bogeys, America’s Scott Piercey and Russell Henley, all sit on 69 as well. Four-time major champion Rory McIlroy had a rough start, hitting three double bogeys in a 10-over-par 80, which leaves him in danger of missing today’s halfway cut. This will be a particularly disappointing start, considering that the 2011 champion has spent plenty of time at the course preparing for this major - having spent 18 out of the last 19 days before the event getting a feel for the area, playing on the local courses. World number 3 Justin Rose - US Open champion in 2013, opened his account up with a respectable one-over-par 71. Day two is sure to be full of further interesting developments and we can expect an exciting day ahead.
Honourable mentions around the globe include the FIFA World Cup match between Portugal and Spain. This is the second fixture in Group B, after Morocco play Iran. It is likely to decide who wins the group, being the top two-ranked teams. Portugal may fancy their chances in this game, due to Spain having replaced their manager, Julen Lopetegui, on Wednesday, with Fernando Hierro, after controversy surrounding Lopetegui’s acceptance of the Real Madrid managerial post for after the World Cup. It is Day 2 in the Test match between India and Afghanistan in Bengaluru, with India on 347 for 6 in their first innings. It is also Day 2 of the second Test in the series between West Indies and Sri Lanka at Gros Islet in St Lucia. In MLB, the Los Angeles Dodgers take on the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. In the AFL, Sydney Swans are up against the West Coast Eagles. In NRL, the Cowboys play against the Warriors at the 1300 Smiles Stadium. And finally, it is the Quarter-Finals at the ATP World Tour Mercedes Cup.
Whatever you’re watching, enjoy!
Photos by US Open