Recent U of L graduate Derek Fathauer shot a 2-over par 73 for the second consecutive day at the U.S. Open to not only make the cut at his first major, but to lead all amateurs heading into the weekend at Torrey Pines.
Fathauer, who currently sits at four over and in a tie for 35th place, leads Alabama's Michael Thompson by one shot. Seven over Ricky Fowler of Oklahoma State is the only other amateur to make the cut.
"(Being the low amateur) would be pretty cool, because there's a lot of good amateurs in this field," Fathauer said.
Fathauer played with first round leader Justin Hicks on Friday, and endured some early controversy when his group - which also included Scott Piercy - was told it was five minutes behind...on the first green.
"I'm not sure if that's possible," Hicks responded. "And we were already being threatened (with penalty strokes). Having the lead at the U.S. Open is not something I deal with on a daily basis. When you accompany that with, 'Oh, yeah, by the way, you're behind and you have to pick it up or you're going to be timed or possibly penalized,' kind of got me going in a different gear than I was wanting to play in."
Hicks fired a 9-over par 80 and nearly missed the cut.
Fathauer's playing partner for the third round will be Dustin Johnson of Myrtle Beach, S.C. The duo will tee off at 3 p.m. local time, noon pacific.