{"id":15519464,"date":"2023-06-17T12:14:23","date_gmt":"2023-06-17T16:14:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/golf.com\/?post_type=article&p=15519464"},"modified":"2023-06-17T12:14:30","modified_gmt":"2023-06-17T16:14:30","slug":"lacc-teeth-rory-rickie-battle-inside-day-5-us-open","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/golf.com\/news\/lacc-teeth-rory-rickie-battle-inside-day-5-us-open\/","title":{"rendered":"LACC shows some teeth, Rory and Rickie get ready for battle | Inside Day 5 at the U.S. Open"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/em>Welcome to GOLF.com\u2019s new \u201cSeen & Heard<\/a>\u201d video series, where we\u2019ll endeavor to give you an inside look at golf\u2019s biggest events through the eyes and ears of our onsite crew. On deck this week: The 2023 U.S. Open<\/a> at Los Angeles Country Club. Let\u2019s go!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ICYMI: More questions than answers, Scottie tries a new Scotty | Inside Day 1 at the U.S. Open<\/a>
ICYMI: Homa\u2019s reaction, LACC\u2019s quirks, Reggie Bush\u2019s pick to win | Inside Day 2 at the U.S. Open<\/a>
ICYMI: Phil Mickelson arrives, Jon Rahm gets a chipping lesson | Inside Day 3 at the U.S. Open<\/a>
ICYMI: Record-setting rounds, Stefan Schauffele\u2019s prediction | Inside Day 4 at the U.S. Open<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

***<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As the U.S. Open reached the halfway point, the championship’s primary storylines began to come into focus. And Los Angeles Country Club itself continues to be at top of mind. After yielding two record-setting scores<\/a> on Thursday, it played very differently on Friday. What will the weekend bring?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“[USGA chief championships officer John Bodenhamer] said last night if someone shoots 20 under, he has not done his job,” our Dylan Dethier said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Game on!<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\n\n
\n
\n \n News <\/a>\n <\/div>\n \n \n \"Max <\/a>\n <\/div>\n
\n
Tour Confidential: Who, or what, has been the biggest surprise at the U.S. Open?<\/a><\/blockquote>\n By:<\/span>\n \n \n GOLF Editors <\/a>\n \n <\/span>\n <\/span>\n <\/figcaption>\n <\/figure>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler solidified their positions at the top of the leaderboard with solid rounds on Friday. But both players know it will be an uphill battle if they want to claim the U.S. Open trophy on Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I’ve been trying and I’ve come close over the past nine years or whatever it is, and I keep coming back,” McIlroy said. “And whether that means that I get rewarded or I get punched in the gut or whatever it is, I’ll always keep coming back.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While both players have an enormous contingent of fans, there’s at least one VIP who will be pulling for Fowler this weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boston Celtics center Blake Griffin was on-site on Friday to support friends Max Homa, Brooks Koepka and Collin Morikawa. But as far as a rooting interest?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“I’d love to see Rickie win,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

On site at LACC: aspiring golf sicko Blake Griffin @blakegriffin23<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/brpidbk1CU<\/a><\/p>— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) June 17, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote>