Billy Hurley III shot 6-under-par 65 and tied Jon Rahm of Spain for the lead midway through the Quicken Loans National at Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Md.
Hurley, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy who lives nearby in Annapolis, Md., birdied four of the first nine holes and added three birdies on the back side, making his only bogey at No. 5.
“I just hit a lot of good shots,” said Hurley, whose only two pro victories came on the mini-tours. “I was just able to keep the pedal down and continue to attack the golf course, which is not something you usually do around Congressional.
“But it being soft, I was able to take advantage of the conditions and get the ball a little closer to the hole than you’re used to.”
Rahm, making his first start as a pro after tying for 23rd to finish as low amateur in the U.S. Open last week, followed an opening 64 that made him the first-round leader with a 67, falling out of sole possession of the lead with a bogey on the 18th hole.
Said Rahm, the former Arizona State All-American: “I couldn’t be happier. (Thursday) was a great round and after a great round usually it’s hard to follow it. To play golf the way I did today, I’m really proud of myself.
“I’m just lucky to be here today. If you tell me 10 years ago when I was 11 years old that I would be leading a PGA Tour event when I was 21, I wouldn’t believe you.”
Vijay Singh, the 53-year-old three-time major champion from Fiji, posted at 66 and was three strokes back in solo third, while 2013 National champion Bill Haas totaled 69 and was another shot back in a tie for fourth with Webb Simpson, who had a 68, Harold Varner III, who finished at 69, and Ernie Els, the 1997 U.S. Open champion at Congressional, who also came in at 69.
Rickie Fowler, the highest-ranked player in the field at No. 6 in the world, carded a second straight 68 and was five strokes behind in a tie for eighth with Robert Garrigus and Mark Hubbard, who both wound up at 69.
