The 2012 U.S. Open is getting tougher and tougher, proven by the scores getting higher and higher as the tournament continues. And as birdies remain a rarity on the Lakes course at the moment, a few players are finding their way, including Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell. The 2010 U.S. open champ carded back-to-back birdies on his front nine to move himself into second place by himself behind tournament leader Michael Thompson, who is yet to tee off this Friday.
McDowell started his day out with a bogey on his opening hole, No. 9, but got it right back with a birdie on No. 10. Another bogey on No. 12 pushed him back to even par, but managed to card birdies on the par-3 15th and par-5 16th to put him one shot ahead of Tiger Woods at 2-under for the week.
Woods and Thompson are still a few hours from teeing off, 1:18 and 12:52 p.m. PT respectfully, so any ground McDowell can make this morning will be a plus as scoring conditions are likely to get harder as the day goes on.
Full tournament leaderboard can be found here.
For more in depth coverage including live video, highlights and player interviews during the 2012 U.S. Open, make sure that you check out the USGA's ongoing coverage as well as SB Nation's dedicated golf hub.
