Rickie Fowler hits US Open two-round record to lead, Rory McIlroy just behind in joint third

Updated 17/06/2023 at 11:27 GMT

Rickie Fowler is in with a chance of winning his first major, as he recorded the joint-lowest two-round total at the US Open. The 34-year-old American failed to qualify for last year's tournament but his resurgent form has him 10-under. Rory McIlroy is two strokes behind him after the second round. There was frustration for Jon Rahm, who only just made the cut.

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Rickie Fowler took the outright lead at the halfway point at the 123rd US Open, but Rory McIlroy is not far behind.

Fowler hit eight birdies to finish 10-under, leading by one shot over Wyndham Clark. McIlroy shares third with Xander Schauffele, who are both another shot behind.

Last year’s champion Matthew Fitzpatrick is well back at one-over but hit a hole-in-one

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Dustin Johnson is four off the lead at six-under despite a quadruple bogey eight on the second hole.

Jon Rahm was able to make the cut at the Los Angeles Country Club. The Spaniard was close to snapping a club as he endured a frustrating day, and he sits at two-over after a round of 73.

Last year, Fowler had failed to qualify for the US Open, and fell as low as No. 185 in the world, but the 34-year-old has been reinvigorated and is now in with a chance of winning his first major.

His 36-hole score of 130 equalled the existing record from Germany's 2014 champion Martin Kaymer, for the lowest score in the tournament's history.

"I'm in the lead, but we're only halfway there," said the American. "Being in the lead is nice, but it really means nothing right now.

"I'm looking forward to continuing to challenge myself and go out there and try and execute the best I can."

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler is five-under after posting a 68, with Open champion Cameron Smith in the top 10 on four-under.

US Open leaderboard after second round

1. Rickie Fowler - 10-under
2. Wyndham Clark - nine-under
T3. Rory McIlroy - eight-under
T3. Xander Schauffele - eight-under
5. Harris English - seven-under
T6. Dustin Johnson - six-under
T6. Min Woo Lee - six-under
T8. Scottie Scheffler - five-under
T8. Sam Bennett - five-under
10. Cameron Smith - four-under

Bryson De Chambeau is one under, while US PGA champion Brooks Koepka is at level-par.

Tiger Woods is not competing at this year's tournament, and has confirmed he will not take part in this summer's Open at Hoylake.

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