Many people may have counted Richard Bland out before this U.S. Open ever began. Yet the 48-year-old Englishman found himself tied for the lead at Torrey Pines midway through his second round.
Bland, playing in just his second U.S. Open, birdied five of his first 11 holes Friday to move to 4 under, even with co-first-round leader Russell Henley, who hadn't teed off yet.
Ranked 110th in driving distance after Round 1, Bland has benefitted by keeping it in play and making putts. Through 12 holes Friday, he's hit 15 of 23 fairways and needed just 44 putts.