Moving Day at The 2021 US Open
Posted on June 20, 2021
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Moving Day at The 2021 US Open
Another Moving Day at the US Open that created some sensational play from the leaders and chasers alike.
There was no doubt that the inexperience of the leaders increased the pressure valve and ultimately Blandy could not take the heat. As forecast, 1 of the 36 hole leaders wilted.
Despite the pressure of a US Open, there was some fun to be had on a sunny day, though not many of the golfers seemed to notice or care as much as those above them clearly did.
Torrey Pines played tougher, but also provided opportunities especially early on. The par 5s were playing short and the par 3rd was a simple wedge, yet scoring stayed similar to previous days. The growth of the Poa Annua has a large effect on the challenges that the afternoon starters face, plus obviously the unpredictability of the coastal wind and the Marine Layer!
Heading into Final Day Sunday, the leaders are a real mix of No Expectation to Expectant champions.
Henley fought hard on Moving Day - hitting nearly every fairway bunker and greenside bunker for his Even par 71. His putter was hot throughout, plus a magical short game (including a bunker holeout on 11 for birdie). His speed of play is sensational too, which is a nice change from The Bulk’s drag.
Henley and Rors on Sunday will be a fast watch with neither enjoying The Bulk’s over-analysis tortoise pace strategy.
The final pairing of King Louis and Hughes is such a contrast - with one a perennial top 10 finisher in the majors over the past decade and the other with a best finish in the majors of outside the top 50 and 6 MCs from 8 attempts.
Still both made eagles on Moving Day, vaulting themselves as the final pairing out. King Louis certainly finished hot (long rangers on 16 and 18), but was far off his best, while Hughes cruised in with a 68.
It should be a tight and tense affair, no one is creating any distance between themselves and the field. The high/low gap in scoring is low - so the birdie machine Rors could create the gap, otherwise any bogey free round will do the same. It will be attritional.
Based on the stat, 24 of the 25 past Champs were within 2 shots at halfway - this leaves us with Henley, King Louis, Rahmbo and The Wolff only left. Could that forecaster be broken this time around?
There are some brilliant potentials heading into the Final Day Sunday:
King Louis win: 2 majors, 1st win on US Soil.
Henley win: 1st major.
Hughes win: 1st major, 1st Canadian to win the US Open
Rors win: 5 majors, tied with Seve.
The Bulk win: 2 major, defends US Open to match BK’s feat (and a few other decent players).
Round of the Day
There were plenty of movers out there - in both directions. Once again, the best of the day was a 67 with no one able to crack the 66 (yet!) all week.
Casey came out the blocks fast and furious, chasing the elusive Olympic spot with Fitzy. His putter behaved and finally he was rewarded with a 67 for some pinpoint iron play.
The Bulk produced a bogey free 68, to tie Rors in the clubhouse. He will be looking to post the number come Sunday.
Rors was in sensational form on Saturday making his usual weekend charge. However, this is not just for a mandatory top 10, he is right in the mix after his 67, just 2 back. He nearly came unstuck on 14, but recovered brilliantly.
Shot of the Day
Moving Day is all about shot making and the world’s best duly delivered. From long bombs, to monster putts, but some of the chipping was sensational! No hole out eagles, but lots to shout about.
Rors came good on the tough 13th - the tough par 4, a probable 2 shot swing for the 2011 Champ.
Jordan was making a move of his own late in the day.
King Louis took the cake with a towering 7-wood and long range monster to tie the lead on the 18th hole on Sunday. Will that be the momentum for his 2nd major?
Performance of the Day
Rors finally had reward for his aggressive play, making a stack of birdies and avoiding the big numbers. He is the week’s birdie leader and you can see why - going after nearly every pin. He made birdies on all the difficult holes including that chip-in on 13.
The Leaders
As predicted the leaderboard remained jammed and at the end was probably even tighter than the start. It’s anyone’s game.
Hughes, King Louis and Henley have a 2 shot lead, but that can vanish by the 2nd hole with an expected charge by the Chasers. The top 8 is filled with a nice mix of major pedigree and pro’s seeking their first expected (and unexpected) major.
The throwbacks to Tiger were becoming a little ridiculous - the comparison to Hughes’ eagle on 13 even broke the opposite way. If Hughes keeps this putting up, he will be hard to beat.
The Chasers
The Chasers will be looking for a really low number, possibly a week’s best of 66, which gets them to 6 under possibly.
Plenty of talent in this bundle - who can get the crowds going early on a pressure-packed Sunday.
Reminder of the Stats:
Top Bucket: Rahmbo 34%, Xander 14%, Collin 11%, BK 9% & DJ 8%. (4 are under par)
2nd Bucket: King Louis 21%, Jordan 19%, Zala 10%, Scottie 8% & Higgo 6%. (2 are under par & 2 MCs)
3rd Bucket:: JRose 17%, Lowry 14%, Gracie 9%, Bez 8% & Scotty 8%. (1 is under par & 1 MC)
For a full view of the scores head to the US Open Leaderboard and to the majorpunter leaderboard.
majorpunter Leaderboard: