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SPORTS Saturday 3 June 2017
Dufner has another 65 and opens big lead at Memorial

times with my putting that be consistent with that, but
the thought process and some days it’s not.”
my actions have felt like Fowler started the tourna-
they’ve been sped up and ment with a triple bogey on
too quick. And I’m trying to his second hole and he was
slow down and focus on 3 over through four holes
that breathing. It’s been when he turned it around
working. I’ve been using it Thursday for a 70. He was
all year. This is the first time back out Friday morning
I’ve said anything about it. and shot 66 and walked
Some days I’m better with off the course the closest
it than others. You think it player to Dufner, even if it
would be pretty easy to wasn’t very close.q

Jason Dufner tees off on the 18th hole during the second round of the Memorial golf tournament,
Friday, June 2, 2017, in Dublin, Ohio.
Associated Press
DOUG FERGUSON ing some putts, too,” Spieth what he was trying to do,
AP Golf Writer said. “He had two fantastic and he said the bonus was
DUBLIN, Ohio (AP) — Ja- days. He’s a major champi- that it found the bottom of
son Dufner wanted to put on and a multiple PGA Tour the cup.
together more than just a winner, he’s going to be a The key to his great play
few good rounds this week tough guy to chase down. was his putting, something
at the Memorial. But again, playing with the Dufner rarely says. When
The first two put him in the lead on this golf course I asked about it at Kapalua
record book. imagine is going to be dif- to start the year, Dufner
Dufner holed out from 176 ficult.” said: “I’ve been putting
yards on the 18th hole for Dustin Johnson, the world’s bad for 17 years. It’s tough
an eagle, and then added No. 1 player, won’t have to to change.”
three more birdies on the chase him. Coming off a 78 He managed with the
front nine at Muirfield Vil- — and his first round with- help of a friend who sent
lage for another 7-under out a birdie in nearly four him some research from
65, giving him the 36-hole years — Johnson couldn’t a doctor who works with
scoring record at the Me- get anything going and snipers in the Marines, and
morial and a five-shot lead shot 74 to miss the cut by how they focus primarily on
going into the weekend. five shots. their breathing and their
He was at 14-under 130, “I hate missing cuts,” John- heartbeats. Dufner found
one shot better than the son said. his worst trait in putting was
record previously held by At least he had time on his not having a consistent
Rickie Fowler (2010) and side. Johnson was head- routine and getting too
Scott Hoch (1987). Neither ed up to Wisconsin for the fast, almost as if he wanted
wound up winning the tour- weekend to see Erin Hills for to get it over with quickly.
nament. the first time. His fiancee, “I think the one thing that
Daniel Summerhays made Paulina Gretzky, is expect- also helps is it gives me
bogey on his last hole and ing their second child next something to think about
shot 69 to finish five shots week before he returns for other than my stroke or hol-
behind Dufner. Fowler (66) his title defense in the U.S. ing this putt or the situation
was another shot behind. Open. I’m in,” Dufner said. “Sub-
Jordan Spieth was one Zach Johnson dug deep to consciously, I’m just put-
shot out of the lead after make the cut on the num- ting. But I’m more focused
the opening round. He al- ber with four birdies on his on my breathing and I’m at
ready was eight shots back last five holes. So did Tony with that.”
when he teed off, and all Finau, who birdied his last He said the goal presum-
he managed was a 72. Spi- three. They all have a long ably is to keep his heart-
eth and Justin Thomas (71) way to go to get to Dufner. beat low, a real challenge
were tied for fourth and The shot that got the most for a guy who barely has a
eight shots behind. attention was Dufner’s pulse in the first place.
“Duf is obviously in full con- 6-iron that he holed on “I’ve never had anybody
trol of the ball tee to green, No. 18 for his eagle. With measure it,” he said. “But
and you’ve got to be mak- a back left pin, the shot fit I know that there’s been