Hiroyuki Fujita has been putting on quite the show at the U.S. Senior Open. On Friday, he shot a remarkable 4-under 66 during the second round, putting him in the lead with an 11-under 129 at Newport Country Club. This puts him just a stroke ahead as he aims for his first-ever win on American soil. An 18-time winner in Japan, Fujita’s performance this week has been surprising, considering his previous struggles on the PGA Tour.
- Exciting Highlights:
- Fujita’s incredible form: Birdied three of his first five holes on Friday.
- Richard Green’s solid play: Shot a 67, just one stroke behind Fujita.
- Richard Bland’s charge: Shot a 64 to move into third place, tied with Steve Stricker.
- Stricker’s consistency: Shot 66 for the second day in a row.
- Stephen Ames holding strong: 68 to stand at fifth.
The story of Frank Bensel is both extraordinary and unfortunate. He made back-to-back holes-in-one on the 4th and 5th holes but ultimately finished with a 74, leaving him at 9 over and missing the cut. Bensel, a New York club pro, remained upbeat, planning to enjoy his unexpected free time.
Fujita’s journey is particularly interesting. Before this, he had never managed to shoot in the 60s in his four previous PGA Tour Champions starts. He’d also never cracked the top 120 of a PGA Tour event or the top 30 of a major. His performance on the 7,024-yard, par-70 A.W. Tillinghast course has been nearly flawless. “I was lucky yesterday, and I didn’t expect to play this well,” said the 55-year-old Fujita. “It’s only day two, and I want to continue to play consistently.”
- Pointers:
- Fujita was the only player to reach 12 under during the round.
- His sole bogey came on the par-3 fourth hole.
- Made a birdie on No. 2, his 11th hole.
Richard Green, who had shared the first-round lead with Fujita, showed resilience by carding a 67. He made a strong push with three straight birdies as he turned from No. 18 to No. 1 but finished with seven pars. Senior PGA champion Richard Bland moved into third place after an impressive 64, tying with Steve Stricker, who also shot 66.
Stricker’s performance has been particularly noteworthy. The 2019 U.S. Senior Open champion said the afternoon wind conditions made it feel like a different course. “We came out with soft conditions yesterday. Well, today we came out with completely the opposite wind to what we’ve seen the course in,” he said. “I haven’t seen this course in this wind before... It was a challenge.”
Defending champion Bernhard Langer, who’s been battling an Achilles tendon injury, made the cut right on the number with a 72. Rhode Islander Billy Andrade, who had been just one stroke behind after 36 holes, shot a disappointing 74 and fell out of the top 20. “Advantage? A little bit. Sleep in my own bed, fantastic. Seeing people I haven’t seen in a long time, awesome,” Andrade said. “But when you get in the ropes and you go out there, you’ve got to hit one shot at a time.”
- Interesting Notes:
- Langer’s determination to play despite injury.
- Andrade’s home advantage turned disadvantage.
- The challenge posed by the shifting wind conditions.
As the tournament progresses, the players will need to adapt to the changing conditions and maintain their focus. Fujita, in particular, will need to stay grounded and consistent to hold onto his lead. The competition is fierce, with seasoned players like Green, Bland, and Stricker hot on his heels. The final rounds promise to be exciting, with every shot potentially changing the leaderboard.
This U.S. Senior Open has already delivered some memorable moments, and with the weekend approaching, golf fans are in for a treat. The blend of experienced champions and surprising performances from less-known players like Fujita adds to the event's drama. Keep an eye on how the story unfolds as Fujita aims to make his mark on American soil, facing the relentless pursuit of his seasoned competitors.
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