Over the course of two intense days, Oakmont Country Club has proven itself as a notoriously challenging venue for the U.S. Open. As the second round concludes on Saturday morning, only three players have managed to finish under par. The round was interrupted by lightning at 8:15 p.m. local time, leaving 13 players still on the course. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the top highlights and statistics from Round 2 at Oakmont.
Five-time PGA Tour champion Sam Burns is the 36-hole leader after a remarkable score of 65 on Friday morning. This performance places him in elite company, as only two players have recorded lower scores in a U.S. Open at Oakmont: Johnny Miller’s closing 63 in 1973 and Loren Roberts’ third-round 64 in 1994. Burns is on track to surpass the field scoring average by an impressive 9.78 shots, a feat that would mark the highest strokes gained total in a men’s major championship round since Brooks Koepka’s opening 63 at the 2019 PGA Championship (+10.06). His performance on Friday was highlighted by hitting nine fairways, 14 greens in regulation, and a remarkable total of over 102 feet in putts made, leading the field with 6.54 strokes gained tee-to-green.
Upon the conclusion of the second round, Burns will become the ninth player since 2000 to hold a one-shot lead after 36 holes at the U.S. Open. Historically, only two of the previous eight have gone on to clinch victory — Angel Cabrera and Dustin Johnson, both of whom triumphed at Oakmont.
As the second round progressed, the overall field at the U.S. Open amassed a staggering total of 1,462 strokes over par. Notably, there are currently 10 players at +20 or worse, marking the highest number of players over par through 36 holes in 17 years. Seventeen of the 18 holes are averaging over par, including both par 5s. The scrambling rate for the field is an alarming 38.5 percent, significantly below the PGA Tour average of about 60 percent. The three players below par after Round 2 are the fewest seen at the U.S. Open since Shinnecock in 2018, where only Dustin Johnson stood in red figures.
The disparity between the best score of the day (Burns' 65) and the highest score recorded (an 89 by qualifier George Duangmanee) was a staggering 24 strokes, the largest gap recorded in any U.S. Open round held at Oakmont.
Following his first bogey-free round in a major, J.J. Spaun achieved a commendable Round 2 score of 72. While his putting was not as effective as on Day 1, requiring 33 putts (seven more than his previous round), Spaun improved his fairway hits and maintained the same number of greens in regulation (12). Spaun is now set to play in the final group during the weekend, marking his first experience in a major’s final group.
Despite his self-deprecating remarks about chipping, Viktor Hovland showcased impressive skills around the greens on Friday, gaining over four strokes in this area—the highest of any player in the field. His overall performance through two days has been exceptional, with a staggering +11.52 strokes gained tee-to-green. Hovland's average proximity to the hole on approach shots is an impressive 31 feet, 8 inches, significantly outpacing the field average.
As the third round approaches, two players will commence at even par: Ben Griffin, a rookie at the U.S. Open, and Adam Scott, who is participating in his 96th consecutive major championship. Griffin has already secured multiple PGA Tour victories, hitting 15 of 18 greens in regulation on Friday, while Scott, turning 45 next month, has demonstrated exceptional ball-striking skills, ranking high in strokes gained off the tee and proximity to the hole.
Thriston Lawrence faced challenges during his round, needing to return at first light due to a weather delay. His performance included seven bogeys or worse through 17 holes. Meanwhile, Victor Perez made headlines by achieving a hole-in-one on the sixth hole—the first at Oakmont since 1983. Perez's impressive shots have positioned him well in the tournament.
Despite a challenging Round 2, Brooks Koepka remains within striking distance, just five shots off the lead. Meanwhile, reigning PGA champion Scottie Scheffler managed four birdies on his way to a round of 71, placing him in a tie for 23rd, while Rory McIlroy narrowly made the cut, continuing his streak of avoiding back-to-back missed cuts since 2017.
A surprising number of top players, including world No. 6 Ludvig Ǻberg, two-time major winner Justin Thomas, and former U.S. Open champion Dustin Johnson, have failed to make the cut. This year’s U.S. Open has seen several notable players struggle, with Bryson DeChambeau missing the cut as the first defending champion to do so since 2020.
In what could be his final U.S. Open appearance, Phil Mickelson faced disappointment with two double bogeys in his last four holes. He leaves behind a unique legacy in the U.S. Open, having recorded six runner-up finishes, more than any other player in history.
Of the nine previous champions at Oakmont, eight have been within four shots of the lead entering Round 3, highlighting the importance of a strong position at this stage. The historical data shows that a significant lead is often a precursor to victory in this prestigious tournament.
As the U.S. Open progresses, Oakmont continues to challenge the world’s best golfers, setting the stage for an exciting weekend ahead.
