Southampton golfer sets new record in the US
Southampton golfer Richard Bland has set a new US Open record.
Bland took the competition by storm as he raced into the outright lead midway through the second day at Torrey Pines.
The 48-year-old has become the oldest player to lead the tournament after 36 holes.
Bland began the week as a 500/1 outsider and 115th in the world.
"I'm coming off a couple of good results, a win and a third in Europe, so I was feeling pretty good about my game," said Bland.
"I've been driving the ball well for five, six weeks now, which is the cornerstone if you're going to put a fight up for a US Open.
"When I saw this place on Monday, it kind of set up to my eye. There's not too many sort of doglegs, it's all there just straight in front of me, and that's the kind of golf course I like.
There's nothing kind of jumping out and grabbing you or anything like that.
"When I saw the course Monday, I thought 'yeah, I can play around here'."
Bland is playing only his fourth major in four different decades, and he has now set his sights on achieving his dream goal of qualifying for the Masters.
"I'm a professional golfer, but I'm also a golf fan," he added. "I love watching the Masters, especially I've been fortunate enough to play there with a friend of mine. There's nothing like the back nine of a Masters.