ARDMORE, PA – The weather cleared up on Friday at Merion Golf Club — and the scores went up too.
Unlike Thursday, when two delays halted play, the rains stayed away on Friday and most members of the field were able to complete their second rounds before darkness again suspended play for the night.
The leaders in the clubhouse are 26-year-old American Billy Horschel and first-round leader Phil Mickelson. Horschel hit all 18 greens on Friday to fire the low round of the day with a 67, while Mickelson rolled in a lengthy birdie putt at 18 just after the air horn sounded signalling the conclusion of play. Both players are -1 for the Championship. Luke Donald, Steve Stricker and Justin Rose are all one shot back at even par.
Ian Poulter (even through 14) and amateur Cheng-Tsung Pan (even though 9) are other notables near the top of the leader board who will have to conclude their rounds on Saturday morning.
After finishing up their first round early on Friday, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy both shot even-par 70s in their second rounds and both sit at +3 overall heading into the weekend.
