OAKMONT, Pennsylvania — Sam Burns showcased resilience, successfully bouncing back from a shaky start to his U.S. Open campaign. His round culminated in a crucial par save on the final hole, securing him a remarkable 5-under par 65 and the lead after 36 holes. He completed his round earlier, just ahead of a wave of chaos that swept through Oakmont on Friday afternoon.
In a fitting display of frustration, Rory McIlroy threw his club and damaged a tee marker, yet still managed to birdie the 18th to ensure his progression to the weekend rounds.
Meanwhile, Shane Lowry experienced an uncharacteristic slip-up, unintentionally picking up his ball on the 14th green without marking it. Thriston Lawrence, who briefly reached 6 under, faced an unfortunate downturn, racking up six bogeys and a double bogey over his next nine holes.
Thomas Detry empathized with the struggles, noting his own challenge for the lead diminished by three double bogeys in a mere four-hole span. “If I can avoid making double bogeys in the next two rounds, that would be a win for me,” Detry reflected.
Phil Mickelson, possibly competing in his last U.S. Open at age 53, found himself outside the top 20 after a disappointing finish, registering a score of 74 and missing the cut.
The official cut line will be confirmed on Saturday morning, but play was suspended due to inclement weather as Lawrence approached a critical putt, with 13 players still on the course. Action is set to resume at 7:30 AM.
Scottie Scheffler, fresh off three victories in his last four tournaments, found himself out of sync, producing a sixth consecutive over-par round in the U.S. Open but salvaging a score of 71, leaving him seven shots off the pace.
Burns demonstrated remarkable precision, crafting birdies at a challenging Oakmont course, as he played early in the day with minimal wind. All six of his birdies came from within 10 feet.
At a total of 3-under 137, he leads J.J. Spaun by one shot after Spaun finished with a bogey on the 18th hole during a round of 72.
Burns and Viktor Hovland (68) each notched 11 under-par holes over the two rounds, the highest tally at Oakmont since it adjusted to a par 70 in 2007. Hovland currently sits two shots back.
With only three players under par, this marks the record-low for a U.S. Open in seven years. Burns reflected on his challenging finish the previous day, where he dropped five shots over his last four holes, stating, “I played well overall, aside from the finish. Today was about staying mentally focused and executing a solid round.”
He made history as only the second player to lead through 36 holes in a major after previously being outside the top 30 through 18, following Curtis Strange’s remarkable performance at the 1989 U.S. Open, which he ultimately won.
Hovland achieved two remarkable long putts—hitting a 50-footer on the 10th hole and chipping in for eagle on the par-4 17th, despite grappling with a double bogey on the second. Content with his performance, he expressed a sense of accomplishment, yet acknowledged the missed opportunities for lower scores.
Adam Scott, participating in his 96th consecutive major, recorded another steady 70, placing him alongside Ben Griffin at an even-par 140.
Known for his exceptional putting skills, Burns missed a crucial 5-footer to win the Canadian Open last week. However, today was about minimizing errors and navigating the meticulous demands of Oakmont.
Burns’ most pivotal moment came when he sank a challenging 20-footer for par on the ninth hole after a wayward drive led him into a ditch. His skillful play allowed him to escape with a final putt that featured a significant break. “That was a big one for me,” he noted.
Brooks Koepka recorded a 74, placing him five shots behind the leader. Jon Rahm’s round of 75 mirrored Scheffler’s misfortunes, highlighting the tough conditions at Oakmont.
Frustrated with his performance, Rahm expressed his discontent: “I’m too annoyed to think about anything right now. I struck good putts that simply didn’t find the hole, which is very frustrating.”
These frustrations are characteristic of U.S. Opens. Hovland, embracing a different approach, seemed to find comfort amidst the challenges, having won earlier in the season and noting a notable mental clarity this week. “I’ve managed my expectations well and stayed grounded throughout,” Hovland said.
Information sourced from The Associated Press was utilized in this report.