– The second day of the Truist Championship was very different from the first at the Wissahickon course of the Philadelphia Cricket Club. The game started three hours early to try to avoid a storm suspension (which was ultimately successful: bravo to the PGA Tour weatherman), but rain was a companion throughout the day. And some wind. And a drop in temperature…
The greens were somewhat more receptive, it’s true, but the heaviness of the atmosphere and a wet and more penalising rough, as well as that gusty wind, caused an abrupt increase in the tournament’s average strokes: we went from Thursday’s average of 66.792 strokes on this par 70 to a figure more than three strokes higher (70.024), figures that lead us directly to Rory McIlroy…
– “Yes, it’s been a very consistent period, no doubt. Even when I feel I haven’t played my best golf, I find a way. I think that’s what I mean when I talk about being a more complete golfer: if one part of my game isn’t sharp, I can rely on another part to compensate. Like today, sinking quite a few putts and making the score that way instead of hitting the ball spectacularly. I think that’s been one of the keys to this consistent run: not having to rely too much on one aspect of the game.” These are the words of Rory McIlroy (-7) after handing in a scorecard of 67 strokes today, a result that has taken him to fourth position, although he remains five strokes behind the leader, Keith Mitchell (-12), who signed the same result.
Justin Thomas (-7) also handed in a 67, and their performance this Friday positions them as clear contenders for victory heading into the weekend. This is the ‘new’ Rory, who continues to act as the true World Number One, even though he is Number 2. He came to Pennsylvania without an exact idea of what might happen after the Masters hangover, but we already have him positioned at the front of the grid after the first 36 holes. He came with the intention of fine-tuning his preparation for next week’s PGA, but it turns out his solidity is already leading him to fight for the fourth win of the season before playing the second Major of the year.
– It wasn’t a clean and tidy round for the man from Holywood. In fact, he had three bogeys. But he sank some very good putts and, as he says, managed to make a score. His friend Shane Lowry (-11) played much better, and there’s no choice but to resort to the cliché: on a very Irish day, unpleasant and damp, the strong Irish was in his element, played almost at ease, and signed the best score of the day, a commendable 65. Lowry, who is probably going through the best moment of his career if we look at his consistency in excellence, also joins the list of contenders. The same goes for Sepp Straka (-10, today a round of 67) and Patrick Cantlay (-7). Collin Morikawa (-7) didn’t go under par today, but he lives off Thursday’s gains and can and should be a factor over the weekend. Tomorrow, Saturday, he plays in the third-to-last match alongside Rory, precisely. An interesting pairing. Thomas and Straka will go out in the penultimate match, while Mitchell and Lowry will do so in the featured match.
– Saturday’s round, according to forecasts, promises to be much drier, without rain, but probably windier, with gusts that could reach forty kilometres per hour, so it’s not going to be easy.
