We are through two days at Oakmont Country Club and only three players in the 156-man field remain under par: Sam Burns, J.J. Spaun and Viktor Hovland.
How’s that for a U.S. Open?
As the third major championship of the year makes the turn to the weekend, here’s what we learned in Round 2 (which isn’t quite over, with 13 players needing to finish their rounds Saturday morning) and what to expect during the final stretch.
How far back do you think is still in contention?
Mark Schlabach: History suggests Sunday’s champion will be one of the golfers currently in the top five on the leaderboard, but I’m not sure that’s necessarily going to be the case at Oakmont Country Club.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, 11 of the past 12 U.S. Open champions were in the top five after 36 holes. The exception was Matt Fitzpatrick, who was tied for 13th after the second round in 2022 at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts.
Only three champions in the 125-year history of the U.S. Open were outside the top 20 after 36 holes: Lou Graham in 1975 (tied for 27th), Larry Nelson in 1983 (tied for 25th) and Webb Simpson in 2012 (tied for 29th).
As difficult as Oakmont is playing, there have been some stellar rounds, as evidenced by J.J. Spaun’s 4-under 66 on Thursday and Sam Burns’ 65 on Friday.
Someone who is four or five shots back, or maybe even more, could put together two solid rounds. When U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley was asked if a 5-under 65 was possible on the weekend, he said, “If it rains maybe.”
The skies had already opened up before 14 golfers finished their second rounds Friday night.
Paolo Uggetti: It wouldn’t shock me if someone at 5-over, even 6-over, made a bit of a run Saturday, especially if the leading score remains around even par, but the real answer is 4-over because that’s where Scottie Scheffler is.
Scheffler battled on Friday despite showing plenty of frustration as he was unable to gain any ground on the top of the board. A 71 wasn’t exactly what he had in mind, and yet he’s still not out of it just seven shots back of Burns at 3 under. Oakmont is a ball striker’s course, and no one is better at that than Scheffler.
“At the U.S. Open I don’t think you’re ever out of the tournament,” Scheffler said. “Put together two decent days, I may be in 25th or 30th place or something like that after today, and like I said, by no means is that out of the tournament.”
The No. 1 player in the world beelined it to the driving range after finishing his round and appeared frustrated with something as he worked with his longtime swing coach Randy Smith. If there’s any skepticism about Scheffler it is that he seems to be fighting something in his swing. But much like at the PGA Championship, where a session with Smith unlocked him, I could see him figuring it out quickly. That spells trouble for the rest of the field.
—————————————————————————————————————————
Welcome to freedom news, your trusted source for the latest news from around the world. We deliver fast, accurate, and balanced reports every day. Subscribe now and stay informed on politics, economy, technology, and global affairs.
“Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated!” 🔔
—————————————————————————————————————————
@FreedomNews10
the 2025 US Open at Oakmont has been a thrilling test with only three players under par after two rounds sam Burns leads at three under highlighted by a brilliant 5 under 65 in round two jj Spawn and Victor Havland are also under par showing resilience on this tough course despite storms and tough conditions the tournament is packed with drama and anticipation as the weekend approaches who will claim the title at this storied venue oakmont Country Club is renowned for its formidable challenge often described as one of the toughest courses in the world the courses layout features deep rough narrow fairways and greens that are as slick as glass these elements create a demanding test for even the most skilled golfers requiring precision and patience to navigate successfully the rough at Oakmont is particularly penalizing with grass so thick and deep that it can easily swallow a golf ball making recovery shots exceedingly difficult players must be strategic with their T-shots to avoid these treacherous areas the narrow fairways add another layer of difficulty leaving little room for error and demanding accuracy off the tea the greens are another significant challenge at Oakmont known for their speed and undulating surfaces they require a deaf touch and exceptional putting skill players often find themselves facing long tricky putts that can easily lead to three putt situations the combination of fast greens and complex pin placements adds to the pressure especially in a major championship setting these features have solidified Oakmont’s reputation as a grueling test of golf it is a course where mental toughness is as important as physical skill and where even the slightest misstep can be costly the players who succeed here are those who can maintain focus and adapt to its relentless challenges the weather has played an influential role in the 2025 US Open and it promises to continue affecting play throughout the weekend heavy rain on Friday night has softened the course and the forecast predicts a 90% chance of rain and thunderstorms on Saturday with a 70% chance on Sunday these conditions are expected to alter the course’s playability significantly a softer course typically makes it easier for players to hold greens with their approach shots potentially leading to lower scores however the wet conditions also make the rough even more challenging to navigate as the thick grass becomes heavier and more difficult to play from this dual effect creates a fascinating dynamic for the players to contend with in response to the softer conditions the USGAA is likely to employ more challenging pin placements and faster green speeds to preserve the course’s difficulty these adjustments aim to balance out the impact of the rain and ensure the tournament remains a rigorous test of skill while some players like Ben Griffin welcome the rain and its potential to level the playing field others will need to adapt quickly to the changing conditions the ability to adjust strategy and maintain composure in the face of unpredictable weather will be crucial for those looking to contend over the weekend history suggests that the winner of the US Open often emerges from the top of the leaderboard after 36 holes in fact 11 of the past 12 champions were within the top five at this stage however Oakmont’s challenging nature means that even players a few shots back still have a realistic chance of victory oakmont has a storied history of producing firsttime major winners with seven of the nine previous US Open champions at the course achieving their first major victory there this adds an intriguing element to the tournament as several contenders are seeking their breakthrough win on this hallowed ground while historical trends favor those near the top the nature of Oakmont allows for surprises the course’s difficulty means that a lead can quickly evaporate with a few missteps and players from just a few strokes back could easily find themselves in contention this unpredictability adds to the excitement and drama of the tournament as the weekend approaches the question remains whether history will repeat itself or if a player further down the leaderboard will defy the odds the battle for the US Open title at Oakmont promises to be a captivating one with history as both a guide and a source of inspiration for the competitors sam Burns leads at three under par showing confidence and strong iron play he’s held the 36 hole lead before but only converted once victor Havland calm and composed excels off the tea and on approach but needs to improve his putting to contend scotty Sheffller world number one is seven back but remains a threat if he finds his form brooks Kepka and Adam Scott are also in the mix relying on experience as the weekend pressure builds the US Open at Oakmont has definitely seen its fair share of surprises with several high-profile players failing to make the cut bryson Desambo the defending champion was a notable casualty finishing at plus 10 after a disastrous second round his struggles with pudding and accuracy led to eight bogeies and a double bogey really highlighting the course’s unforgiving nature other big names who missed the cut include Patrick Kantley Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson each faced their own set of challenges with the course’s difficulty proving just too much to overcome mickelson in particular struggled with the fast greens while Johnson’s normally reliable long game faltered under pressure cameron Smith another top player also fell victim to Oakmont’s challenges finishing at plus 8 his normally sharp short game just couldn’t compensate for missed fairways and errant approach shots the tough conditions and demanding layout took their toll on even the best players serving as a reminder of Oakmont’s reputation these early exits from the tournament have reshaped the leaderboard opening the door for other contenders to make their mark the absence of these stars adds an element of unpredictability to the weekend as new narratives emerge in their wake as the US Open heads into the weekend anticipation builds for a thrilling conclusion at Oakmont with the leaderboard tightly packed and the course as challenging as ever the stage is set for an exciting showdown key players like Sam Burns and Victor Havland will look to maintain their momentum while others like Scotty Sheffller and Brooks Kepka aim to make a charge up the leaderboard the weather will continue to be a factor with rain expected to soften the course further players who can adapt to the changing conditions and navigate the treacherous layout will have the best chance of success the weekend promises to be a test of skill strategy and mental fortitude viewers can expect dramatic moments as players contend with Oakmont’s infamous greens and thick rough the potential for a firsttime major winner adds to the intrigue as history suggests Oakmont is fertile ground for breakthroughs the final rounds will test every aspect of a player’s game providing a captivating spectacle for golf fans whether it’s a seasoned veteran or an emerging star who ultimately claims the title the US Open at Oakmont is poised to deliver memorable moments as the tournament reaches its climax fans will be glued to their screens eager to witness the crowning of the next champion golf enthusiasts won’t want to miss a moment of the action as the US Open unfolds at Oakmont the weekend broadcasting schedule is packed with coverage to ensure fans can follow their favorite players on Saturday coverage begins at 10:00 a.m eastern on the USA Network before switching to NBC from noon to 8:00 p.m sunday’s final round coverage starts bright and early at 9:00 a.m eastern on the USA Network with NBC taking over from noon to 7:00 p.m for those who prefer streaming Fubo and the US Open app provide convenient options to watch the tournament live from anywhere this comprehensive coverage ensures that fans won’t miss any of the pivotal moments or dramatic swings in momentum with a leaderboard filled with potential storylines and the unpredictable nature of Oakmont every shot could be significant whether you’re a seasoned golf afficionado or a casual viewer the US Open at Oakmont offers something for everyone the tournament’s intensity and history really make it a must-watch event and the weekend’s coverage promises to capture all of the excitement and drama the 2025 US Open at Oakmont has already delivered unforgettable moments and the weekend promises even more excitement with a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars in contention the final rounds are set to provide a thrilling conclusion to this prestigious tournament the challenge of Oakmont Country Club combined with the unpredictable weather creates a unique and captivating dynamic as players vy for the coveted title fans around the world will be watching closely eager to see who will emerge victorious the potential for a firsttime major champion adds to the intrigue and suspense as we look forward to the weekend the US Open exemplifies the spirit of competition and the pursuit of greatness it’s a celebration of skill perseverance and the unrelenting challenge of one of golf’s most revered courses so whether you’re tuning in for the first time or a longtime fan prepare for an unforgettable weekend of golf at Oakmont with so much at stake and so many stories yet to unfold the 2025 US Open is sure to be a memorable chapter in the history of this iconic tournament embrace the excitement and enjoy the spectacle as the world’s best golfers compete for glory
