DETROIT – Ahhh. This is better.
We can breathe easier now that the air pollution “improved”, on Friday, to “unhealthy” for “certain groups.” Things returned to normal during the second round at the Rocket Mortgage Classic 2023.
As in previous years, there were a few names that most of us had never heard before near the top. Some marquee names moved. Some marquee names moved in the wrong direction.
For the fourth year in a row, there will not be a champion.
The PGA Tour’s annual Detroit Golf Club stop is at its halfway point.
Gilbert and Ishbia: UWM Employees crash party at Day 2 of Rocket Mortgage Classic
Two journeymen and two Taylors topped the leaderboard. Taylor Moore, who won the Valspar Championship for the first time in March, and Canadian Taylor Pendrith were one shot ahead at 13-under-131. Moore, ranked 51st worldwide, shot 67 shots on Friday. Pendrith shot 64, ranked 127th.
Two of the biggest names in golf were right behind them. Rickie Fowler was on fire in the late afternoon. He eagled par-5 17, added six birdies, and shot 65 for 12-under 132. Collin Morikawa, a two-time major winner, eagled par-5 14th and shot 67 to reach 11-under-133.
Fowler had trouble with the “bouncy”, “beaten up” greens during the first round. He avoided this problem on Friday by hitting the ball close and achieving several tap-ins. He tied for fifth at the U.S. Open two weeks ago after closing with a score of 75. He tied for 13th place at the Travelers Championship last week after a final-round 69, following a round 60 in the third.
Fowler, who will be in the 2nd-to-last position, knows exactly what he has to do and not do.
He said, “The most important thing is that we cannot try to push too hard.” “I know we can win. “I’ve never felt better about myself or my game on the course.”
The Rocket is both a blessing and a curse. Anyone — and I do mean anyone — can win.
Rickie Fowler walks towards the second green in Round 2 of Rocket Mortgage Classic, Friday, June 29th, 2023 at the Detroit Golf Club.
Fowler can rebound from his U.S. Open flop and win this event. Andrew Landry, a player you may not have heard of, can also win this tournament. He was ranked 660th in the world a few years back, and is now recovering from two shoulder operations. He shot a round of 63, which included nine birdies and no bogeys. This tied the 2019 tournament record set by Nate Lashley. This put him 10-under 134.
Moore is another player who has found redemption. He survived a collapsed lungs in 2019 but missed the cut at his last two tournaments. He finished sixth last year at the Rocket, and now that everything is clicking, he has regained his confidence. He played early in the morning, and beat Max Homa (world No. The world No. 9 shot 68.
He said that he was growing in confidence. “But golf is such a finicky sport.”
In a sense, I have always viewed the Rocket as a proving grounds on the PGA Tour. It’s a place where players can improve their swings. If players lose their mojo, they will leave.
Two Taylors at the top. The leaderboard is heating up as we approach the halfway point. #RocketMortgageClassic pic.twitter.com/KbqFXfxw1X
Rocket Mortgage Classic (@RocketClassic 30 June 2023
Tony Finau, the defending champion, closed with a score of 38 on his back nine. He shot 72-71 and finished at 1-under 143. The cut was 4-under 140. Finau has yet to make his first Top 10 since winning the Mexico Open back in April.
Justin Thomas, who was a two-time major champion and made his Rocket debut at the tournament, was its biggest disappointment. He recovered from a disastrous first round of 76 by shooting a 69 Friday, and finished the tournament at one-over-145.
Golf is all about playing well at the right moment. The right attitude is also important and Morikawa may have unlocked this secret better than anyone else so far in Detroit. After a short break following his first round, the player with a constant smile signed autographs. He has also embraced Detroit by having dinner downtown and attending the Morgan Wallen concert in Ford Field.
He said, “Yeah it was a lot fun.” “Golf is supposed to be fun. We’re here to have fun. This week has been incredible. We’ve seen a lot of fans and people here. It’s been an enjoyable ride.
This is the time when real work begins. You’re still in the running and we want to see two low numbers on this weekend.
This is the key to Morikawa and Fowler. It could be the key to half the field.
Contact Carlos Monarrez: [email protected]. Follow him on twitter @cmonarrez.
