Sam Burns matched the third-best US Open round ever fired at Oakmont, shooting a five-under par 65 to seize a one-stroke lead after Friday’s second round as big names struggled.
The 28-year-old American made six birdies against a lone bogey to stand on three-under 137 after 36 holes on the punishing layout.
“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.”
The only two US Open rounds at Oakmont lower than Burns’s 65 were Johnny Miller’s final-round 63 to win in 1973 and a 64 by Loren Roberts in the 1994 third round.
American J.J. Spaun made bogeys on three of the last four holes to shoot 72 and stand second on 138 with Norway’s Viktor Hovland third on 139 after a 68 — the top trio being the only players under par after 36 holes.
“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.”
World number 14 Hovland marveled at 22nd-ranked Burns and his stunning round.
“Super impressive,” Hovland called it. “It just feels like you have to play absolutely perfect and have some good breaks going your way, as well, but it’s definitely doable.”
Heavy rains drenched Oakmont, halting play for the day at 8:15 p.m. (0015 GMT) with 13 golfers yet to finish their second rounds.
World number two Rory McIlroy struggled to make the cut, with double bogeys at the first and third holes, but sank a five-foot birdie putt at the 18th to shoot 72 and stand on 146, securing a spot inside the low 60 and ties to make the weekend.
Bryson DeChambeau fired a 77 to stand on 150 and miss the cut, the first defending champion to miss the US Open cut since Gary Woodland in 2020.
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