Rory McIlroy Shines in Day Two of the U.S. Open

Rory McIlroy’s second day of play in the U.S. Open was even more impressive than his opening round as the 22-year-old from Northern Ireland finished the first two rounds of the tournament at 11-under. McIlroy shot a 5-under par 66 on Friday to head into the weekend at 11-under 131, setting the record for the best 36-hole score in the history of the U.S. Open. His 36-hole score was one shot better than Ricky Barnes at Bethpage in 2009, and the gap could have been larger had McIlroy not hooked his drive on 18 and ended up double-bogeying the hole.

McIlroy became the first player in the 111-year history of the U.S. Open to reach 13-under par, despite double bogeying into the water on his final hole of the day Friday. He went 17

holes without missing a green, and went 35 holes without making bogey. Tiger Woods holds the record for largest 36-hole lead at the U.S. Open, six shots at Pebble Beach in 2000.

Behind McIlroy on the leader board is Y.E. Yang who has inched closer to the 22-year old as Yang currently sits at 5 under par. Sergio Garcia, Robert Garrigus, Brandt Snedeker, Matt Kuchar and Zach Johnson all finished their day tied at two under par. Play from Congressional will resume Saturday morning.