He’s only 36 holes into the U.S. Open but he’s already set a record that absolutely no one saw coming. That’s right, the 2002 U.S. Amateur Champion, Ricky Barnes, is the current leader at the U.S. Open and finished up his second round today, after starting it yesterday. When he left the course this morning and finally got to rest in the clubhouse, he’d set a brand new U.S. Open 36-hole record, which he’d done by posting a first round 67 and following it up with a second round 65.
-8 After Two Rounds
That’s right, he’s sitting at -8 after only two rounds, and considering the fact that the U.S. Open is at Bethpage Black, one of the trickiest courses in the world, that’s saying something. In addition, weather has been and continues to be a major factor in play throughout this tournament. You already know that it completely delayed and finally cancelled first round play, and then caused players to have to play the rest of their first round on Friday, as well as start their 2nd round. That’s exactly what Barnes did, and finished up that 2nd round today, extremely impressively, we might add.
Barnes Surprised but Not Shocked
When asked about the new record, and the fact that his new record is only giving him a slim, 1-shot lead, here’s what Barnes had to say:
“If you would have told me I would have been eight under par and have only a one-shot lead, I would’ve said, You’re kidding, but I’ll take it…It was solid play. My ball-striking was the most impressive part of the first 36 holes. I hit 31 of 36 greens. It was pretty stress-free. Could I have predicted I would shoot 132? No. Did I know I had it in me? Yeah, I’m starting to play well.”
Can He Hold On?
We’ll see how he holds on in the last two rounds. That is, if the last two rounds even happen, it seems Mother Nature has it out for this year’s U.S. Open, and more negative weather is expected throughout today and tomorrow. This could be one of the longest U.S. Open’s in history. Not that we’re complaining.
