US Open: Danny Willett and Matt Fitzpatrick hoping for better as second round begins a day late

Masters champion Danny Willett will begin his delayed second round today with it all to do to make the cut at the weather-ravaged US Open.
Fans pose for selfies among the puddles at the weather-ravaged US OpenFans pose for selfies among the puddles at the weather-ravaged US Open
Fans pose for selfies among the puddles at the weather-ravaged US Open

After play was cancelled on Thursday with only nine players having completed their first round, the order of the day on Friday was to have the field complete their first 18 holes.

The delay has forced officials to arrange both the second and third rounds for Saturday in a bid to ensure the final round takes place on Sunday as normal.

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Sheffield golfer Willett will be hoping his game improves with the weather after carding a five over par round of 75 by the close of his first round yesterday.

The 28-year-old at least steadied the ship after his struggles on Thursday, making five pars and a bogey on his remaining six holes after he was halted on the 12th.

Willett’s performance left him in a tie for 78th, perilously close where the cut will be come the middle of play on Saturday, weather permitting.

The Hackenthorpe-born ace was out to make another major impression in America after winning the Masters in April.

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He was drawn in the highest profile grouping of the first two rounds alongside Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler, both of whom also struggled.

Fowler finished on six over par while McIlroy closed one shot further back. The trio will be hoping for much better when they tee off at 1.39pm on Saturday.

Faring better is Sheffield’s Matt Fitzpatrick but he will have been disappointed not to build on his good work from Thursday.

Sitting on even par after 13 when storms halted Thursday’s play, Fitzpatrick returned on Friday only to make three bogeys and two pars to slip down the leaderboard.

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The 21-year-old begins his second round at 1.28pm on Saturday.

His three over par opening round left him in a tie for 45th, and seven shots off surprise leader Andrew Landry.

The world number 624 has a one shot lead on -4, ahead of Dustin Johnson and Worksop’s Lee Westwood who continues his impressive form at Majors.

Europeans Sergio Garcia, Shane Lowry and Henrik Stenson are among the 11 players under par at the notoriously difficult Oakmont course.

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Saturday’s second round will see three man groups beginning on both the first and tenth holes.

The third round will be played in the same manner, rather than dropping to pairings, as organisers look to complete play on Saturday.