Sam Burns has taken the lead at the 125th U.S. Open after a stunning second-round performance at Oakmont Country Club. His sublime 65 on Friday, June 13, 2025, has him sitting at three-under-par, one stroke ahead of fellow American J.J. Spaun, who is at two-under after completing his round with a 72. Norwegian Viktor Hovland is the only other player under par through 36 holes, standing at one-under following a solid 68.
The tournament has been a grueling test of golf, with Oakmont's notoriously difficult layout living up to its reputation. The scoring average after two rounds is a daunting 74.709, the highest relative to par at a U.S. Open since 2018. Only three players remain under par, highlighting the brutal challenge faced by the 156 competitors.
Friday's play was interrupted late in the day by inclement weather, with the horn sounding at 8:15 p.m. EDT due to lightning threats. Thirteen players were left to complete their second rounds, scheduled to resume at 7:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, June 14. The third round tee times were set from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with groups of two teeing off from the first hole.
The cut line was established at seven-over-par, a reflection of the course's difficulty. Several notable names failed to make the weekend, including defending champion Bryson DeChambeau (+10), who struggled mightily with rounds of 73 and 77. Other big names missing the cut were Ludvig Aberg (+8), Justin Thomas (+12), Joaquin Niemann (+10), Wyndham Clark (+8), Patrick Cantlay (+8), Tommy Fleetwood (+9), Dustin Johnson (+10), Cameron Smith (+8), Shane Lowry (+17), Phil Mickelson (+8), Sepp Straka (+11), and Justin Rose (+14).
Phil Mickelson, a six-time U.S. Open runner-up and one of golf's most beloved figures, saw his exemption expire after the PGA Championship. His Friday round was a valiant effort but ultimately fell short, with double bogeys on holes 15 and 17 and a missed 14-foot birdie putt on the 18th sealing his fate. This could very well mark the end of Mickelson's U.S. Open appearances, as the elusive career grand slam remains out of reach.
Rory McIlroy, despite a tough start and some struggles on the course, managed to make the cut with a score of six-over-par. The World No. 2 leads the field in driving distance, averaging 339.8 yards off the tee through 36 holes. McIlroy's birdie on the final hole of the second round gave him a respectable 72, ensuring his place in the weekend's action, though he faces a challenging task to climb the leaderboard.
Scottie Scheffler, the current World No. 1 and PGA Championship winner, also made the cut but is at four-over-par after a round marked by frustration and inconsistency. Scheffler’s putting, usually a strength, has been a particular concern, as he struggled to find the cup on several occasions. Despite this, his resilience keeps him in contention, and his practice sessions suggest he is preparing for a strong weekend push.
Brooks Koepka, a two-time U.S. Open champion and one of the LIV Golf players who made the cut, sits at two-over-par. Koepka’s round of 74 on Friday included eight bogeys, but his experience at Oakmont and major championships keeps him in the mix, just five shots off the lead.
American amateur Justin Hastings is the lone amateur to have made the cut, a remarkable achievement among the 15 amateurs who began the tournament. Hastings, the Latin America Amateur Champion from the Cayman Islands, now has the opportunity to enjoy the weekend at one of golf's most storied venues.
Adam Scott, the 2013 Masters champion, is at even par and three strokes off the lead. At 44 years old, Scott is quietly positioning himself for a potential second major title, expressing confidence in his game and readiness to contend through the weekend.
One of the week's most remarkable moments came from Victor Perez, who aced the sixth hole during the second round. This hole-in-one is only the second ever recorded during a U.S. Open at Oakmont, and the 54th in the tournament's history overall. Perez's feat electrified the crowd and added a memorable highlight to an already dramatic championship.
Weather conditions have played a significant role in the tournament's progression. The course was extremely wet outside the ropes on Saturday, prompting the USGA to offer refunds to fans concerned about the forecast rain. Despite the damp conditions, players have continued to battle through the challenging layout, with greens rolling at speeds near 15 on the stimpmeter and rough left uncut overnight, adding to the difficulty.
Throughout the first two rounds, the leaderboard has been a multinational affair, with nine different nationalities represented in the top twelve. This diversity underscores the global nature of golf's premier events and the wide range of talent competing at the highest level.
Sam Burns’ round of 65 on Friday was particularly impressive, standing approximately 9.5 shots better than the field average. His composure and precision have set him apart, and his birdies have come at crucial moments, including a dramatic 22-foot putt on his final hole to save par and maintain his lead.
J.J. Spaun, who opened the tournament with a bogey-free 66 that matched the lowest opening round at a U.S. Open since 2016, has shown remarkable consistency. Although his second-round 72 saw a few bogeys, he remains firmly in contention, just a stroke behind Burns.
Viktor Hovland’s second round was a rollercoaster, featuring an eagle, double bogey, five birdies, and four bogeys. His ability to recover and chip in for eagle at the 17th hole brought him back into contention, demonstrating the resilience required to succeed at Oakmont.
Other contenders such as Thomas Detry briefly shared the lead but faltered with consecutive double bogeys, illustrating the punishing nature of the course. Thriston Lawrence, who led at one point with a string of birdies, fell back after a series of bogeys, highlighting the relentless challenge of maintaining momentum at this major.
Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth both shot 75 on Friday, leaving them at four-over and five-over respectively. Despite their struggles, both are expected to make the cut and have the opportunity to fight for position over the weekend.
Looking ahead, the third and fourth rounds promise intense competition as the leaders and contenders navigate Oakmont’s demanding terrain. With just a handful of players under par and the field tightly bunched, any number of storylines could emerge, from breakthrough victories to dramatic comebacks.
As the 2025 U.S. Open moves into its final phases, all eyes will be on Sam Burns and his quest to capture his first major title. The pressure will be immense, but his performance so far suggests he has the game and the temperament to handle it.
Meanwhile, veterans like Adam Scott and Brooks Koepka, and stars like Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler, will be looking to mount late surges and etch their names further into golf history. The weekend at Oakmont promises to be a thrilling chapter in the annals of the U.S. Open.
