US Open: unlikely duo in the lead with Richard Bland and Russell Henley

TABLE OF LEADERS

SAN DIEGO – The United States Open prides itself on being the most democratized major tournament as 9,000 players from all walks of life have the opportunity to participate.

Richard Bland is the perfect example.

A little over a month ago, the 48-year-old Englishman had not signed any victory in 447 tournaments on the European circuit. On Friday he played 67 (under-4) and left the Torrey Pines course when he tentatively saw his name atop the standings.

Bland shows a cumulative score of minus-5 and was eventually joined in first place by Russell Henley (70), who shares the lead for a second straight round.

Both golfers hold a one-stroke lead ahead of Louis Oosthuizen (71) and Matthew Wolff (68).

This is only the fourth major tournament Bland is taking part in. He played at the British Omnium in 1998 and 2017 and once at the US Omnium.

Bland won the British Masters Tournament last month, his 478th career start, becoming the oldest golfer to secure a first victory in European Tour history. It was also the start of a series of three tournaments that could give access to the United States Open.

Oosthuizen, coming back from second in the PGA Championship, finished his first round with two pars and shared the lead with Henley. He did bring in a 71 card in the second round, however, slipping behind Bland after the morning starts.

Jon Rahm hung on and sent his sand trap exit straight to the bottom of the cup at the 14th hole, scoring an unlikely birdie. He handed a card of 70 and is two strokes behind the leaders.

Bubba Watson climbed the standings after a round of 67 and joined Rahm at minus-3.

Canadian Mackenzie Hughes completed the course in 67 strokes and jumped 53 places, tying for seventh with Kevin Streelman (69) and Xander Sc Chaudele (71). The three men find themselves at minus-2.

Adam Hadwin played 72 and will be the only other Maple Leaf representative to make the weekend rounds. His compatriots Taylor Pendrith (72) and Corey Conners (73) could not avoid the ax.

Dustin Johnson and Rory McIlroy took a step in the wrong direction, but they will still make the weekend rounds. Johnson played 73 and is showing a cumulative plus-2 score. McIlroy presented the same card and he ends up at plus-1.

Defending tournament champion Bryson DeChambeau (69) joined Brooks Koepka (73) in a group of nine golfers tied at par after 36 holes. Justin Thomas (69) and Collin Morikawa (67) are also among them.

The 36-hole leader at Torrey Pines in the 2008 US Open had a cumulative score of minus-3. The course is difficult and the wind picked up on a few occasions.