Sam Burns sizzles with 65, takes surprise US Open lead
AP The only two US Open rounds at Oakmont better than 22nd-ranked Sam Burns's 65 are Johnny Miller's iconic final-round 63 to win in 1973 and Loren Roberts's 64 in the third round of the 1994 edition.. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Sam Burns matched the third-lowest round ever recorded at Oakmont in US Open history, carding a five-under-par 65 to take a one-shot lead after Friday's second round. The 28-year-old American delivered a near-flawless performance, tallying six birdies and just one bogey to move to three-under 137 through 36 holes on the notoriously challenging course, as several top contenders faltered.The only two US Open rounds at Oakmont better than 22nd-ranked Burns's 65 are Johnny Miller's iconic final-round 63 to win in 1973 and Loren Roberts's 64 in the third round of the 1994 edition."It felt like I played really well. Today was really nice," Burns said. "There's obviously a lot of golf left on a very tough course." — usopengolf (@usopengolf)
Overnight leader JJ Spaun slipped with bogeys on three of his final four holes, finishing with a two-over 72 to drop to second place at two-under 138.
Norway's Viktor Hovland climbed into third with a solid 68, sitting at one-under 139 — making the trio of Burns, Spaun, and Hovland the only players under par after 36 holes.
— usopengolf (@usopengolf)
"I was definitely anxious to get back out here and see how the game would pan out, and it ended up being a pretty good day," Spaun said."It was more of a true US Open round, a lot of back and forth, a lot of grinding, bogeys. It was still an overall good day. I'm still right there."
Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau won't be around, carding a disastrous 77 to finish at 150 and miss the cut — becoming the first reigning US Open winner to miss the weekend since Gary Woodland in 2020.
World number two Rory McIlroy narrowly made the cut after a shaky start that included double bogeys at the first and third holes. He recovered late, sinking a clutch five-foot birdie putt at the 18th to post a 72 and finish at six-over 146 — just enough to stay inside the top 60 and ties for the weekend.
Also heading home early was six-time US Open runner-up Phil Mickelson, whose quest to complete the career Grand Slam ended with a missed cut.
World number one Scottie Scheffler and Spain's Jon Rahm sit seven shots back at four-over 144. Scheffler endured a rollercoaster 71, mixing five bogeys with four birdies.
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