Rickie Fowler stays atop U.S. Open after chaotic second round - ESPN

LOS ANGELES — Rickie Fowler followed up a historic 8-under 62 in the first round of the 2023 U.S. Open with a 2-under 68 in Friday's second round to grab a one-stroke lead over Wyndham Clark heading into the weekend at the Los Angeles Country Club.

Rory McIlroy was another stroke back in third.

With a scorecard that resembled a roller coaster, Fowler continued his chaotic but impressive play by making eight birdies, four pars and six bogeys in his second round. His erratic scoring was emblematic of a course that prides itself on rewarding good shots and punishing errant ones.

«It's not that easy out there,» Fowler said. «Yes, I've made a lot of birdies, and that is doable out there. It's still a very hard test. You hit fairways and hit greens, yes, you can score well, but you get out of position and it's going to eat you up.»

After carding 10 birdies in Round 1, Fowler now has 18 birdies, the most birdies or better in the U.S. Open through two rounds. It's also the most birdies or better over any two-round span within a major over the past 30 years, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.

Fowler's 13 non-pars Friday are the most he has ever had in a competitive round.

With a total score of 130 through two days, Fowler tied Martin Kaymer's performance at Pinehurst in 2014 for the fewest strokes through two days of a U.S. Open. Coincidentally, it was at that 2014 U.S. Open that Fowler had one of his best major finishes as he finished tied for second.

That year was a banner one for Fowler, who finished top five in every major and twice in second place. Over the next few years, he added six other top-five finishes in majors but was unable to get over the hump and add one to his résumé.

This time could be different.