Jason Day and Adam Scott both made strong runs at the Memorial Tournament in Ohio today, Day chasing the No. 1 world ranking and Scott trying to qualify for the US Open later this month.
Day, who is No. 8 on the rankings, has put himself in with a chance of winning and climbing a few more spots after a second-round 68 at Muirfield Village.
At eight-under par he is tied-fourth, three shots from the lead held by American Kyle Stanley and 19-year-old Mexican prodigy Joaquin Niemann at 11-under at the halfway point.
Day hit it close a few times and did some trademark scrambling from the 10-centimetre deep rough, saying later that a lot of players were hitting long irons and three woods off the tee in an effort to dodge the penal rough. “That’s what it calls for as well,’’ said the Australian. “It’s in the back of your mind, you can’t miss the fairway. If you miss a fairway you may not get to the green. That makes it a very difficult day to shoot anything under par.’’
Scott made an astonishing run after a long weather delay, ultimately ramming home four birdies and an eagle on the front nine having played the back nine first. He carded a 66 to vault to 14th in the field.
Scott’s motivation has been well-publicised; he is 65th on the world rankings and needs to get into the top 60 by the June 11 cut-off point to play his way into the US Open an Shinnecock. The Queenslander has played 67 consecutive major championships since 2001, but his status has been endangered by his quiet 2017 and his tumble outside the top 50 in the world.
The other Australians remained out of contention, although Rod Pampling, John Senden and Marc Leishman made the cut. Australian Open winner Cameron Davis did not, shooting two-over par, and Cameron Davis also has the weekend off.
Former world No. 1 Tiger Woods holed out for eagle on the 11th hole and had the crowds buzzing before the weather delay which took away his momentum. But he carded a 67 to be inside the top 25 through two rounds.