Ten Things to Know about Round 2 of the 123rd U.S. Open at LACC

More records were set on the North Course at Los Angeles Country Club on Friday at the U.S. Open.  The sunshine also made an appearance firming up the course and is expected to continue shining over the weekend.

Here are 10 things to know about the second round.

Number 10:    Xander Schauffele did not make a bogey this week until his seventh hole today. His streak of 24 holes without a bogey from the start of the first round is one the of the longest at this championship over the last 10 years. The longest streaks without a bogey from the start of a U.S. Open, last 10 years:

• Rickie Fowler, 2017 at Erin Hills, (no bogeys first 28 holes),
• Dustin Johnson (2016 at Oakmont, first 27
• Xander Schauffele (2017 at Erin Hills, first 26 holes) and
• Xander Schauffele (2023 at Los Angeles C.C., first 24 holes).

Number 9:    Rickie Fowler became the first first-round leader or co-leader at the U.S. Open to begin his second round with three consecutive birdies (or better) since Payne Stewart did that in 1998. Stewart slept on the first-round solo lead after firing a 66 (-4) at Olympic Club. He then began Round 2 with three straight birdies en route to maintaining a one-stroke lead after 36 holes. Ultimately, Stewart finished one stroke behind winner Lee Janzen.

Number 8:    Rickie Fowler has held at least a share of a 36-hole lead in a PGA TOUR event 11 previous times, including in one major championship (2017 Masters, when he was tied with three others). He went on to win one of those 11 tournaments (the 2019 Waste Management Open).

Number 7:    Scottie Scheffler is yet again among the top 10 on the leaderboard at a major. Since the start of 2021, there have been 42 rounds of major championship golf played, including Rounds 1&2 this week. Scheffler has sat among the top 10 at the conclusion of 26 of those rounds (62%)!

Number 6:    Here is the list of players who are currently under 50 years with the most top-10s in majors without a major championship victory:

• Matt Kuchar, 44 years old, 12 top-10s Paul Casey, 45 years old, 12
• Rickie Fowler, 34 years old, 12 Tony Finau, 33 years old, 10
• Xander Schauffele, 29 years old, 10

Number 5:    Lowest total score, first 36 holes of a U.S. Open: 130 Martin Kaymer (2014 at Pinehurst); 130 Rickie Fowler (2023 at Los Angeles, C.C.); 131 Wyndham Clark (2023 at Los Angeles Country Club); Rory McIlroy (2011 at Congressional)

Number 4:    Since 2010, Rickie Fowler is the fifth player without a major championship on his resume to have the outright 36-hole lead at a U.S. Open. He joins:

• Gary Woodland, 2019 at Pebble Beach, went on to win 
• Dustin Johnson, 2016 at Oakmont, went on to win 
• Rory McIlroy, 2011 at Congressional, went on to win
• Graeme McDowell, 2010 at Pebble Beach, went on to win

Number 3:    Lowest scoring averages since the beginning of March (minimum 30 rounds): Scottie Scheffler (68.70), Wyndham Clark (69.60) and Tyrrell Hatton (69.69).

Number 2:    This year marks the fourth time that Rory McIlroy has shot in the 60s in both of the first two rounds of a U.S. Open, having done that in 2011, 2019 and 2022. No other player has done this as many times. Dustin Johnson is next on the list, having done that three times (2014, 2016, 2018). In case you were wondering, Tiger Woods opened a U.S. Open with a pair of rounds in the 60s only twice (2000, 2002).

Number 1:    Round 1 Scoring: 71.38 average, 37 players under par, 6 rounds of 65 or better, 340 par breakers.  Round 2 Scoring: 72.22 average, 33 players under par, 1 round of 65 or better, 291 par breakers.