DUBLIN, Ohio – Golf’s Longest Day is coming up this Monday when the U.S. Golf Association conducts across the country its last qualifying tournaments for the U.S. Open.
Friday at the Memorial Tournament wasn’t exactly short, either.
Because of two delays due to threatening weather on Thursday, the first round spilled over into Friday and players took to the Muirfield Village Golf Club’s course at 7:30 a.m. ET and didn’t leave until 13 hours, 30 minutes later.
The last groups didn’t tee off until just before 6 p.m.
And they didn’t finish round 2. Play will resume at 8 a.m. ET Saturday for 44 players who have between one and eight holes to play.
The Memorial: Leaderboard | Photos
For most of the players at Jack’s Place, which is one of the hardest walks in golf, it was a test of endurance, patience and, well, staying awake.
“I think you have to be really patient and I think you have to be aware of not falling asleep out there,” said 2019 Memorial champion Patrick Cantlay, who played 33 holes and has shot 69-67 to move to 8 under and to the top of the leaderboard. “I think you have to really even tell yourself, click back in, this is what we’re trying to do and get really specific with clicking back in and telling your computer what you’re really trying to get it to do.
“We’re out there for such a long time today that you could fall asleep at the wheel a little bit. So being cognizant of that and checking in with yourself, are you as focused as you can be, when you need to be, I think is key.”
Defending champion Jon Rahm capped his long day with a 2-foot birdie on the 13th to move into a share of the lead with Cantlay. Standing in third position is Scottie Scheffler, who is looking for his first PGA Tour title and sits at 6 under with rounds of 67-71.
On their heels is a foursome of players at 5 under: Carlos Ortiz (71-68); Max Homa (through 14 holes); Xander Schauffele (through 12 holes); and Rickie Fowler, who needs to finish second or better to earn a spot in the U.S. Open in two weeks instead of trying to qualify Monday in the Columbus final qualifying.
Also on the stout leaderboard are Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama (4 under through 14), 2020 PGA champion Collin Morikawa and a winner of the Workday Charity Open here at Muirfield last year (4 under through 12), and Tony Finau (4 under through 16).
Carlos Ortiz, looking for his second PGA Tour title, shot 68 and went looking for a bed shortly after completing his 31 holes.
“I’m so tired. It’s a long day. I’m used to playing from college 36 holes, but I don’t know, somehow it just, with this rough and being a tougher golf course, it just makes it even longer day than normal,” Ortiz said. “I’m ready to take a nap.”