Oakmont, Pennsylvania, showed its teeth on Friday as the second round of the U.S. Open unfolded. The historic course, hosting its tenth U.S. Open, proved to be a challenge for many of the sport’s top players.
Leading the way was Sam Burns, who shot an impressive 5-under 65, bringing his total to 3-under par and placing him at the top of the leaderboard. This performance was particularly noteworthy given that only two other players in the entire field of 156 managed to finish under par. J.J. Spaun, the first-round leader, is at 2-under, while Viktor Hovland sits at 1-under.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler had a tough day but fought hard to make the cut, finishing at 4-over par, seven shots behind Burns. Rory McIlroy also squeezed through to the weekend, closing his round at 6-over after a birdie on the final hole.
Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau struggled significantly, finishing at 10-over par and leaving the course without speaking to the media. His performance mirrored that of Dustin Johnson, the last player to win a U.S. Open at Oakmont, who also finished at 10-over. Shane Lowry, a contender with recent good form, ended up at 17-over after two rounds.
Burns, ranked 22nd in the world and fresh off a playoff loss at the Canadian Open, seemed unfazed by the challenging course. He expressed surprise at his own score, saying he hadn’t anticipated such a low round given the difficulty of the course.
“It’s a 72-hole golf tournament, and if you can get a round under par out here, you’ll take it,” Burns remarked. He emphasized the importance of staying relaxed and not overthinking the game, especially on a demanding course like Oakmont.
Scheffler praised Burns’s natural instincts on the green, highlighting his ability to putt freely and effectively. As Burns looks forward to the weekend, he reflects on his past experiences in majors, noting that he often tried to be too perfect. He understands now that embracing the challenges of the course is essential.
As the tournament continues, all eyes will be on Burns to see if he can maintain his lead and secure a major victory, a feat that has eluded him despite his strong performances in the past. The weekend promises to be exciting as the best in golf take on the formidable Oakmont course.