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US Open 2011 Isn't A Runaway Yet

Thanks to a very solid start (two-under through nine) Y.E. Yang has helped bridge the gap a bit between the field and Rory McIlroy.

That's good news for everyone out there, including another well-traveled veteran, America's Heath Slocum. The 37-year-old Louisianan only has one high major championship finish to his career, a tie for ninth at the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines, but that hasn't kept him from contending this week at Congressional. Neither did the fact that he's played 17 tournaments this year and missed the cut nine times.

Following an even par 71 that had it's ups (two-under on the front side) and downs (a double bogey five at the nasty par-three 10th), he went out and birdied two of the first three holes to climb onto the first page of the leader board.

He swapped a bogey at the third for a birdie at the sixth to stay at two-under, before play was halted by the rain delay.

READ MORE: US Open Golf 2011 Scores and Leaderboard: Live Updates

Only time will tell if he can hang around and push McIlroy--a few more birdies today and he could be the leader's playing partner tomorrow--but consider this:

Heading into this week, Slocum was ranked sixth on Tour in driving accuracy and eighth on Tour in greens-in-regulation.

Not surprisingly those are the two areas of McIlroy's game that have been essentially flawless the last two days. Based on those numbers, if any one of the halfway leaders can go toe-to-toe with McIlroy, it might be Slocum.

Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for all things US Open of Golf related, including TV Schedule Info and the latest Score and Leaderboard updates.

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2011 US Open A Major Disappointment For World's Top Golfers

If Rory McIlroy continues to blow away the field and emerges triumphant on Sunday to claim his first major title, there might be a few high profile golfers who are appreciative...the top three ranked players in the world, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, and Martin Kaymer.

Why you ask?

Because if McIlroy caps of this run and continues to smash US Open records--and therefore drowns out the memory of his recent Masters collapse--that will be the only story people talk about; not the fact that Kaymer, Donald, and Westwood performed so miserably.

Kaymer, who looks like he will miss the cut at four-over par, has a built in pass. He's still the reigning PGA Champion and had top 10 finishes in the 2010 British and US Opens.

READ MORE: US Open Golf 2011 Scores and Leaderboard: Live Updates

And while the top-ranked Donald, who doesn't have a major title to his credit, has been mediocre at best this week, currently at two over and hovering around the cut line, at least he posted an impressive finish at Augusta in April, tying for forth place.

Instead, Englishman Lee Westwood, who has the most disappointing showing right now. Westwood wasn't a serious factor at the Masters in April and with a 75 on Thursday at Congressional, he'll be lucky to make the cut. (Although his fans can hold out some hope now that he's two under through seven today).

Even if he doesn't go out and shoot a McIlroy-like 65 or 66 in this tournament, you just expect a little more from the second ranked player in the world on the game's biggest stage.

Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for all things US Open of Golf related, including TV Schedule Info and the latest Score and Leaderboard updates.

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US Open 2011 Leaderboard Reveals Familiar Trend

If I asked you who the only man, other than Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson, to finish in the Top 10 of the US Open twice in the previous three years, I bet few of you would guess the correct answer: Brandt Snedeker.

But after the way he's played today--coupled by Tiger Woods absence and Phil Mickelson's inconsistency--there's a pretty good chance Snedeker will soon be the only man in the world to take Top 10s at thee of the last four US Opens.

Snedeker, who took ninth at Torrey Pines in 2008 and ninth at Pebble Beach last year, has put together back to back one-under 70s this week at Congressional to climb into a tie right now for third place.

The 30-year-old Nashville native, who also has a third-place finish at the 2008 Masters under his belt, has been fairly consistent this week in Bethesda, making seven birdies and four bogeys to post a two-under par and head into the weekend.

READ MORE: US Open Golf 2011 Scores and Leaderboard: Live Updates

Now with the way Rory McIlroy is playing, you'd figure Snedeker has to post at least one brilliant mid-60s round. But at least he's put himself in position to apply some pressure to McIlroy, should the youngster start to come back to the field.

The way this US Open is shaping up that's almost as good as you can hope for.

Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for all things US Open of Golf related, including TV Schedule Info and the latest Score and Leaderboard updates.

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What Will Weekend Golf Ratings be for 2011 US Open? 

When the news broke that Tiger Woods would not be playing in the 2011 US Open at Congressional many in the golf world feared ratings would suffer. 

When Tiger doesn't play golf loses several fans. The fact that it's Father's Day weekend meant ratings might be low (unless all fathers just want to watch golf), plus the sports biggest name wouldn't be competing meant not many cared to watch. 

However, after a record performance from young Rory McIlroy the weekend ratings may just climb.The 22-year-old from Northern Ireland became the quickest ever to reach 10 under at any US Open. He finished the day at 11 under par. 

MUST READ: 2011 US Open Golf: The 25 Greatest Single Round Performances Ever

After the stellar two day performance by McIlroy many are going to want to see how he finishes. Yes, even the causal golf fan will tune in to see how McIlroy is doing. The causal fan usually watches only the Major tournaments or whenever Tiger is playing. 

Because Tiger is out they probably didn't care a great deal to watch the 2011 US Open. Now that Rory is way out in front they will watch to see if he chokes like he did in at Augusta National. The Tiger Woods fans always watch the Masters, and they definitely remember the epic collapse from McIlroy. 

The ratings won't be as big as they could have been because Tiger isn't playing. That is no secret. People love tuning in to watch Tiger play golf. However, because McIlroy is dominating the field he may bring in a few more viewers. 

Will anybody catch McIlroy? You'll have to tune in to find out. If somebody does it will certainly make for great television. 

Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for all things US Open of Golf related, including TV Schedule Info and the latest Score and Leaderboard updates.

-Eric Bowman

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2011 US Open Leaderboard Has Another Prodigy Atop

Since no amateur has won the US Open since 1933 it's easy to forget that our National Open has a long tradition in the amateur game.

The great Bobby Jones--a career amateur--won this tournament four times, and greats of a long-gone era like Chick Evans and Francis Ouimet also added US Open titles to go along with their many US Amateur titles.

As part of that legacy, the USGA gives autmatic exemptions to a handful amateurs, while several others earn a place via qualifying.

And while the last few decades suggest those amateurs are also-rans, there have been a few exceptions. Scott Langley and Russell Henley each tied for 16th last year at Pebble Beach and back at Shinnecock in 2004, Spencer Levin took 13th, tying for the highest finish by an amateur in more than three decades.

Today, 19-year-old UCLA freshman Patrick Cantlay added his name to that list. The native of Los Alamitos, California shot a respectable four-over 75 yesterday afternoon, then hit the course very early this morning.

READ MORE: US Open Golf 2011 Scores and Leaderboard: Live Updates

A double-bogey at the fourth greatly hurt his hopes for making the cut, but soon making the cut wasn't necessarily the goal he was chasing. He soon birdied at the eighth, then birdied five of the next seven holes, including both the tough 10th and 11th to finish with an incredible four-under 67, the fifth lowest single round total by an amateur in US Open history.

Cantlay is still just at even par for the tournament so he's 11 behind the leader, but he'll certainly make the cut and since he's tied for 16th place, he has a great shot at becoming the first amateur to finish in the Top 10 exactly 40 years. The late Jim Simons, who also holds the single round amateur record with a 65, tied for fifth at the 1971 Merion-hosted US Open.

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Rory McIlroy Finishes Off Another Memorable Day of Golf at US Open

This game is supposed to belong to the elderly of the game. Golf takes so long to master that you usually don't hit your stride after you have seen your twenties fly by. 

At 22-years old, Rory McIlroy is dominating the field for the second consecutive major of the year. The first was at the Masters. 

That is where McIlroy built up a huge lead against a field of phenomenal players. As we all know, he was unable to contend with the course, or the pressure. McIlroy melted down on the final day, relinquishing his chance of winning the prestigious event. 

READ MORE: US Open Golf 2011 Scores and Leaderboard: Live Updates 

Golf fans may be experiencing a sudden case of Deja Vu this weekend. Once again, Rory McIlroy is feeling it at a US major. The Open at Congressional has been the stage for McIlroy to drop fantastic shots on the fairway.

That has been the way McIlroy had lead the field. He isn't doing anything flashy. He is simply hitting it long and true. That is the secret to this tough course.

Anything hit askew will come back to haunt you. That is what he found on his last hold of the day. That is where he gave up two shots after hitting the ball deep into the rough.

McIlroy had to be thinking that he got off the course at the right time. Before then, he could do now wrong. There is something different in his step. I think the Masters meltdown tempered this wunderkind.

I expect him to continue to roll through the weekend. This kid hasn't given me any reason to doubt him through two days.  

Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for all things US Open of Golf related, including TV Schedule Info and the latest Score and Leaderboard updates.

—Gabe Zaldivar  

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US Open 2011 Sees Historic Effort From 22-Year-Old

I know it's hard to keep things in perspective--we're a what-have-you-done-for-me lately? culture--but let's try to have some when it comes to what Rory McIlroy has done over the last 30 hours or so.

It's an incredible HALF tournament, not an incredible tournament.

He's still got a long way to go to come anywhere near what Tiger Woods did at Pebble Beach in 2000 or Jack Nicklaus at Baltusrol in 1967 or Ben Hogan at Riviera in 1948. And even if he goes out and shoots another sub-70 round tomorrow, considering what happened at Augusta National two months ago, a win and certainly a record-setting effort is anything but certain.

And maybe that poor finish (landing an approach in the water, poor bogey putt attempt that resulted in a double) will weigh on his psyche starting tonight.

READ MORE: US Open Golf 2011 Scores and Leaderboard: Live Updates

Furthermore the difference between the first two rounds and the weekend, in terms of pressure, mental and physical stamina, and pin placements, is apples to oranges.

Still, all of that shouldn't keep us from marveling at the effort he gave over the first two rounds.

Forget about the raw score, 65 on Thursday, 66 on Friday. His ball striking was incredible throughout the first 35 holes (he missed the fairway at 18 today and then was way off, landing in the water, with his approach).

That's what's most important at a US Open, fairways and greens. Oh, and avoiding bogeys, zero through those first 35 holes. And McIlroy has proved that thus far.

Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for all things US Open of Golf related, including TV Schedule Info and the latest Score and Leaderboard updates.

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Phil Mickelson Finishes Another Horrid Golf Day at 2011 US Open

Sometimes your game is working. There are times when the swing is crisp, and the ball is being hit flush. The roll breaks your way, and nothing can stand in your way. 

Other times, golf will frustrate you like it did to Phil Mickelson on Friday. The fan favorite going into the 2011 US Open has been playing uninspired golf for two days now. 

What has become abundantly clear is that Lefty will not be getting any lucky breaks. On 18, Mickelson shanked a ball something fierce to the left of the fairway.

READ MORE: 2011 U.S. Open Tee Times: Breaking Down Thursday's Pairings

Laying behind a golf path and staring at two trees, Mickelson had two choices. He could either layup on the fairway, or he could try to hit the ball through the trees. The latter would demand pin-point accuracy. 

Lefty of course chose the more stirring shot. He instantly wowed the crowd when he hit the ball perfectly through the trees. In the air, the ball hugged the fairway on its way to the green. 

This was the shot that would get Mickelson back in the good graces. Unfortunately, awesome quickly turned to fodder as the ball rolled into the drink. 

So it went for Lefty. He never looked crisp in 36 holes. The only hope is that the weekend brings his swing back to form. He may have dropped two shots on the final hole Friday, but he managed to improve his overall standing by a touch. 

Mickelson sits at one-over. Meanwhile, the young kid from Northern Ireland, Rory McIlroy is cleaning up, and sits at 11-under. 

—Gabe Zaldivar  

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Will an American Golfer Win 2011 US Open? 

Rory McIlroy is dominating the 2011 US Open at the moment. He has an eight shot lead with a score of 11 under for the tournament. At this point, it's tough to say if anyone can catch him. McIlroy is extremely confident right now despite a horrific showing on 18. He shanked it off the tee then put it in the water.   

McIlroy only has to play it safe from here on out, however, that isn't his style. Obviously if he shanks it off the tee at some point then he will play it safe, but he's playing too well to even mention he might have a poor shot. 

We've seen McIlroy choke before, so if he does, which American golfers will catch him? Their only hope of catching McIlory is to have a great round today. 

READ MORE: 2011 U.S. Open Tee Times: Breaking Down Thursday's Pairings

I'm not the only one that would love to see Phil Mickelson make a comeback, but that's not going to be easy. Mickelson will need to be on his A-game the rest of the tournament. 

The Americans with the best shot at closing the gap on McIlroy have yet to tee off today. They are Stewart Cink, Ryan Palmer, and Bubba Watson. Davis Love III, Robert Garrigus, and Chez Reavie also have a shot, but I like the others chances better. 

Palmer is at two under and he tees off at 2:19pm. Cink is at one under and tees off at 1:24pm. Watson is even and tees off at 2:08pm. Cink has the experience and is mature enough to not get flustered. Palmer is a bit of cinderella story and just a gut feeling he gets it going today.

Watson has the best shot of all the Americans in my opinion. Congressional is a long course, and Watson can hit the ball further than anyone in the field. He was play great yesterday but had a horrible finish. Watson was on pace to have a score or four maybe five under, but his short game hurt him towards the end of the day.

If Watson can start off strong like he did yesterday I have faith he won't choke at the end of the round. It's not going to be easy to catch McIlroy, but Watson can certainly close the gap a little this afternoon.

Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for all things US Open of Golf related, including TV Schedule Info and the latest Score and Leaderboard updates.

-Eric Bowman

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US Open 2011 Looking Like One-Man Show

It's official now: Rory McIlroy owns a US Open record. No man has ever reached 13-under par at any point in the National Open's history. And with a birdie at the 17th he's reached that mark, carving a 10-shot lead just before the 36-hole mark.

It's going to take two, probably three, Herculean efforts to chase him now.

There are several men in the field capable of doing so, former major champions, hot young pros, great putters, incredible shotmakers, etc.

But in these situations  a total longshot, underdog who almost no one knows usually make a run.

That very well could be Robert Garrigus, the extremely long hitting 33-year-old who has one win on the PGA Tour in 14 years, last year's Children's Miracle Network.

Garrigus has never made the cut at a major championship, but he will do that and then some this week at Congressional.

READ MORE: 2011 US Open Golf: The 25 Greatest Single Round Performances Ever

Following an excellent one-under par 70 on Thursday, Garrigus came out today from his very early (7:22 am) tee time and shot another fine round, a second straight 70.

He's only two-under at the half-way point and therefore a mile behind McIlroy, but one hot round--coupled with McIlroy hitting a rough patch--could shake things up.

Hey and a runner up to (arguably) the greatest performance in US Open history wouldn't be bad either! Neither would be the high six-figure payday.

Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for all things US Open of Golf related, including TV Schedule Info and the latest Score and Leaderboard updates.

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Rory McIlroy is Giving Little Hope to 2011 US Open Golf Field

Golf is a frustrating game. Every time I hit the links, there is always some snot-nosed kid who is hitting the ball straighter and farther than me. This adds to an already mind-taxing game. 

The same is happening to any US Open golfer not named Rory McIlroy. The field is trying to maneuver what has become one of the toughest US Open courses in recent memory.

Yet, McIlroy is strutting around Congressional like it was some pitch-and-putt municipal course. This kid must be driving the other golfers up the wall.

READ MORE: 2011 U.S. Open Tee Times: Breaking Down Thursday's Pairings

He is hitting everything he wants to, and easy shots are the only ones he is being afforded at the moment. This is counter to what his round partner Phil Mickelson is doing. While Lefty chips on from the rough, McIlroy is swinging from the fairway.

And so it goes.

McIlroy has a commanding lead on Friday. Through 15, McIlroy is 11-under par. His closest competitor is Y.E. Yang who is yet to tee off and sits at 3-under for the tournament. 

Make no mistake, three-under is a great score thus far at Congressional. The roughs are brutal, and the weather is not helping matters in the least. 

Yet, McIlroy is golfing with ease. It seems the only thing the field can hope for is a meltdown. There is no one in the field that has shown the same flourish. Nobody will match his ungodly score. It is time to cross your fingers if you are US Open golfer not named Rory McIlroy.

—Gabe Zaldivar  

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Will Rory McIllroy Win the 2011 US Open? 

Rory McIlroy currently has an nine shot lead. He sits at 12 under for the tournament. McIlroy is playing excellent golf today, and got a great roll for eagle on the eighth hole.  

He is outshining his fellow golfers, and in the process placing a ton of pressure on Phil Mickelson, whom he is paired with. McIlroy is the quickest ever to reach 10 under at a US Open, and right now it appears nobody will catch him.  

If McIlroy keeps playing this well he will go on to finish with the best score in the history of the US Open. He can't possibly continue to play this well can he? Surely he will have a few bogeys or choke? It's hard to say so, but if he does let up a little, which golfers have a shot at catching him? 

READ MORE: 2011 U.S. Open Tee Times: Breaking Down Thursday's Pairings

Saturday and Sunday at any Major tournament is a completely different atmosphere. I highly doubt McIlroy will continue to hit birdies, but he if keeps it at par then it may be difficult to catch him. 

You can't count out Phil Mickelson just yet. If he finishes strong today and under par then he can certainly close the gap on McIlroy. We know that Mickelson is a phenomenal golfer, which is why I say you can't him out. It's not going to be easy, but it's possible to at least close the gap. 

Another golfer with a chance to close the gap would be Y.E. Yang. He tees off at 1:35pm today and he is in second place at three under. A solid showing from him today and he can give McIlroy a run for his money. 

I also wouldn't count out defending champ Graeme McDowell, who also tees off at 1:35pm. He sits at one under and is very capable of an impressive round today. So is last year's British Open champ Louis Oosthuizen, who sits at two under. He tees off at 1:35pm as well. 

These three golfers along with Bubba Watson have a good chance of closing the gap on McIlroy. Watson is a long bomber and is made for this long course at Congressional. He has to putt well today if he wants to catch McIlroy. Watson started off strong yesterday but closed the round with three bogeys. If he can bounce back from that and putt well he will be just fine today. 

Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for all things US Open of Golf related, including TV Schedule Info and the latest Score and Leaderboard updates.

-Eric Bowman

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US Open Golf 2011 Gets Interesting After 12 P.M.

Rory McIlroy is obviously the center of attention right now at the US Open. The young Irishman is tearing up Congressional and enjoys a ridiculously huge lead right now.

But the fate of McIlroy's hopes for a first major championship will depend on how the rest of the field plays the rest of the week. And you know those players teeing off in the afternoon are going to have something to say about whether or not McIlroy is going to run away with this championship at the halfway point.

Here five men  who still have yet to take the course that have a great shot at chipping away at McIlroy's huge lead, which is currently at eight strokes.

#5. Ryan Palmer (2:19), -2: The 34-year-old played extremely steady golf yesterday, birding three holes against just one bogey. The course should be completely dried out by the time he hits his first tee.

#4. Bubba Watson (2:08), Even: Longdriving, overall-wearing Bubba had a nice run going yesterday, birdying four in a row, but completely squandered it with three straight bogeys to close his day.

READ MORE: 2011 US Open Golf: The 25 Greatest Single Round Performances Ever

#3: Louis Oosthuizen (1:35), -2: The reigning British Open champion still has a shot to take the American Open, assuming he can play a bit more steady golf: six birdies, four bogeys on the first day.

#2: Graeme McDowell (1:35), -1: Having won this event just a year ago and getting through that all-important first round title defense with a one-under 70 should keep his confidence as high as ever.

#1: Y.E. Yang (1:35), -3: We know he can catch Tiger Woods at the final round of a major. Now we'll see if he can catch McIlroy at a US Open with two extra rounds to do so.

Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for all things US Open of Golf related, including TV Schedule Info and the latest Score and Leaderboard updates.

David Cannon/Getty Images

Will Phil Mickelson Win 2011 US Open? 

Phil Mickelson's first shot at the 2011 US Open was wet. He hit it in the water and ended the hole with a double bogey. Two of the last three US Open champs doubled bogeyed their first hole. That was Tiger Woods in 2008 and Lucas Glover in 2009. 

Mickelson has that history going for him, but after finishing three over yesterday it's not going to be easy for him to come back. Rory McIlroy is playing out of his mind right now, which is only putting more pressure on Mickelson because they're paired together. 

Currently Mickelson is three under for the day. However, McIlroy is 11 under for the tournament. At this point I don't know if anyone will catch him this weekend. 

READ MORE: 2011 U.S. Open Tee Times: Breaking Down Thursday's Pairings

However, Saturday and Sunday is a completely different atmosphere at any Major tournament. Realistically McIlroy can just play it safe on the weekend and he should win, but stranger things have happened. 

We've seen McIlroy choke before, but the chances of Mickelson catching him are very slim. The pressure continues to build for Mickelson, and I'm not sure he can handle it. 

Mickelson will need to play out of his mind for the rest of today and all of tomorrow if he wants to be in the hunt on Sunday. It's sad to say but I just don't see it happening. 

Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for all things US Open of Golf related, including TV Schedule Info and the latest Score and Leaderboard updates.

-Eric Bowman

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US Open Golf 2011 Focuses on the Top American in the US Open Field

During the buildup to the US Open, there was a lot of talk about the state of American golf, and the young talents that have emerged among the world's top golfers.

We are talking about names like Dustin Johnson, Rickie Fowler and others, but as we go through the second day of action at Congressional, it has been Zach Johnson who has emerged as the top American in this field.

Johnson is in second place, but that's relative, seeing as he's eight shots behind of current leader Rory McIlroy. McIlroy has made this tournament his own in the early going and is threatening to run away with the tournament.

READ MORE: 2011 U.S. Open Tee Times: Breaking Down Thursday's Pairings

The American is scuffling at the moment, missing a lot of greens, and you simply cannot do that at the US Open and expect to contender for long. Johnson needs to start finding his rhythm, and fast, if he wants to hang around.

McIlroy is playing at a blistering pace at the moment, and you really have to keep your head above water to hang around at the top of the leaderboard.

The US Open punishes those who don't land in the fairway and refuse to hit greens in regulation. Johnson has come undone a bit, and even though there are some other Americans near the top of the leaderboard, it's Johnson who has to step up and make a run if an American is going to win this tournament.

Tomorrow is moving day, so if Johnson wants to hang around, he has to hang in there for the rest of today and put himself in a position to post some low numbers on Saturday.

If he stumbles out of the gate tomorrow, it could be curtains for Johnson and his title hopes.

- Tom Kinslow