Sam Burns matched the third-lowest U.S. Open round ever recorded at Oakmont, carding a stunning five-under-par 65 to grab a one-shot lead after the second round on June 13. The 28-year-old American produced six birdies against a single bogey to post a 36-hole total of three-under 137 — a rare feat on one of golf’s toughest courses.
“It felt like I played really well. Today was really nice,” said Burns. “But there’s obviously a lot of golf left on a very tough course.”
Only Johnny Miller’s legendary 63 in the 1973 final round and Loren Roberts’ 64 in 1994 stand above Burns’ round in Oakmont’s U.S. Open history.
American J.J. Spaun briefly threatened the lead before bogeying three of his final four holes to settle for a 72, finishing one shot back at 138. Norway’s Viktor Hovland carded a solid 68 to sit third at 139 — making the trio the only players under par through two rounds.
“I was definitely anxious to get back out here and see how the game would pan out,” said Spaun. “It ended up being a pretty good day. It was more of a true U.S. Open round — a lot of grinding, a lot of bogeys — but I’m still right there.”
Hovland praised Burns’ round, calling it “super impressive.”
“It just feels like you have to play absolutely perfect and get some breaks too,” he added. “But it’s doable.”
Play was halted late in the day due to heavy rain, with the horn sounding at 8:15 p.m. local time.
Among those barely surviving the cut was world No. 2 Rory McIlroy. He endured a shaky start with double bogeys on holes 1 and 3 but rallied to sink a crucial five-foot birdie on the 18th, finishing at 146 after a 72 to make the weekend.
Not as fortunate was defending champion Bryson DeChambeau, who slumped to a second-round 77 and finished at 150 — missing the cut and becoming the first reigning champion to fall short since Gary Woodland in 2020.
Six-time U.S. Open runner-up Phil Mickelson also missed the weekend, continuing his elusive chase for a career Grand Slam.
World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler and Spain’s Jon Rahm closed the day seven shots behind Burns on 144. Scheffler posted a 71 that featured five bogeys and four birdies, while Rahm struggled to a 75.
With only a handful of players under par, Oakmont proved once again why it has a fearsome reputation.
“Everyone seems like they’re exhausted when they come in off the course,” said American Denny McCarthy. “It’s just a punch in the face. It takes a lot out of you.”
