By Newspot Nigeria Sports Desk
Oakmont, Pennsylvania – As Friday’s brutal second round at the 125th U.S. Open came to a stormy pause, the scoreboard at Oakmont Country Club was littered with casualties — from former champions to rising stars. But at the top, one man stood steady:
🎯 Sam Burns fired a stunning 5-under 65, launching himself into the solo lead at -3, one shot ahead of first-round leader J.J. Spaun (-2). Viktor Hovland (-1) is the only other golfer under par after two rounds. Burns’ masterclass stood out on a day when Oakmont’s punishing rough and glassy greens dismantled many of golf’s elite.
🔻 Morikawa Slides After Promising Start
Collin Morikawa, ranked world No. 4 and Cal Berkeley alumnus, began the day tied for 11th. But a 4-over 74 — marred by a double bogey on No. 3 and late bogeys on 8 and 9 — dropped him into a tie for 23rd at +4, alongside playing partner Scottie Scheffler. The two stars, both considered title contenders, were visibly out of rhythm in their pairing.
While still in the mix, Morikawa’s path to contention will now require a weekend surge.
⚡ Cut Line Mayhem: Legends Out, Few Left Standing
The cut line landed at +7, slicing the 156-man field down to just 67 survivors. Among those who missed:
- Bryson DeChambeau, the defending champion, collapsed to +10, marking his first missed U.S. Open cut since 2017. A string of bogeys and a double on the front nine ended his hopes of a repeat.
- Phil Mickelson, chasing a fairytale finish at age 54, was heartbreakingly close. After standing at +4 with four to play, back-to-back doubles on 15 and 17 left him needing a birdie on 18 to stay alive. His final putt — a 15-footer — lipped out. He finishes at +8, just outside the line, in what may have been his final U.S. Open appearance.
- Ludvig Åberg, Patrick Cantlay, Justin Thomas, Tommy Fleetwood, and Shane Lowry also bowed out early.
Cal’s own Michael Kim (+6) missed the cut by just a stroke, while Byeong Hun An fell to +9 after six bogeys in Round 2.
💥 McIlroy Smashes, Survives
Rory McIlroy, the 2025 Masters winner, looked rattled after opening his second round with two double bogeys in three holes. Frustrated, he even smashed a tee marker at 17 after finding trouble again. But a clutch birdie on 18 brought him in at +7, exactly on the cut line.
⚖️ Scheffler Struggles to Make Headway
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler looked visibly tense, both on the course and at the driving range. Despite carding a 71 to improve on Thursday’s 73, he sits seven shots off the lead. A double on 15 cost him dearly, and with six bogeys through 36 holes, Oakmont seems to be resisting even his best efforts.
💬 The Numbers Behind the Mayhem
- Only 3 players are under par through 36 holes.
- Just 7 of 156 golfers broke par in Round 2.
- Ten players finished the two rounds +20 or worse, including George Duangmanee (+35), who had no birdies and just 12 pars in 36 holes.
The total purse remains at $21.5 million, with $4.3 million reserved for the winner — a hefty prize for anyone who can outlast Oakmont’s gauntlet.
🌧️ Weather, Suspensions, and Saturday Outlook
Lightning forced a suspension of play late Friday, leaving 13 players — including Thriston Lawrence — to finish Round 2 early Saturday. With rain in the mix and Oakmont growing meaner, the weekend will be a test of patience, precision, and psychological resilience.
🔥 With Burns surging, Mickelson fading, Morikawa fighting, and the world’s best bruised and battered — Oakmont has proven once again why it’s the U.S. Open’s most feared test. Stay with Newspot Nigeria for all the drama, stats, and storylines from golf’s grittiest major.
