LA JOLLA – England’s Richard Bland and American Russell Henley, an unlikely pair of major pacesetters, shared the lead after Friday’s second round of the US Open with South African Louis Oosthuizen one stroke adrift.
Henley, on a four-year US PGA win drought and never a top-10 major finisher, lipped out a two-foot par putt on his final hole to fire a one-under 70 and settle for a share of the 36-hole clubhouse lead on five-under-par 137.
Bland won his first European Tour title at last month’s British Masters after 478 starts over 25 years, becoming the tour’s oldest first-time winner at age 48.
After shooting 67 on Friday, he’s a threat to become the oldest winner in US Open history, breaking the mark of 45 set by American Hale Irwin in 1990.