The 125th U.S. Open Championship intensified on Friday, June 13, 2025, as players navigated the notoriously challenging Oakmont Country Club for the second round. The day delivered a mix of brilliant scoring, dramatic struggles, and a rare moment of perfection, setting the stage for a thrilling weekend at this major championship.
Oakmont’s demanding layout tested the world’s best, with fast greens, penal rough, and strategic bunkers demanding precision and mental fortitude. While many found the going tough, others capitalized on opportunities to climb the leaderboard.
Burns Sets the Pace as Leaders Emerge
One of the standout performances came from Sam Burns, who posted a remarkable 5-under 65. This exceptional round propelled him into contention, setting the clubhouse target at 3-under par through 36 holes. Burns showcased why he’s earned the moniker of a “birdie machine” at Oakmont, tallying 11 birdies over his first two rounds – a total matching Viktor Hovland among early finishers and tying for the most through 36 holes in U.S. Opens played at Oakmont since 2007. His Friday round was a masterclass in consistency, featuring just one bogey and crucial par saves, including a lengthy putt on the 9th to cap off his 65.
Viktor Hovland also impressed, battling through an “up and down” round to card a 68, finishing Friday at 1-under overall. Hovland’s day included highlights like holing a 50-foot putt and chipping in for eagle, demonstrating moments of spectacular play amidst the course’s pressures. Other players like J.J. Spaun (the first-round leader), Thriston Lawrence, and Thomas Detry also featured prominently near the top of the leaderboard as the round progressed.
Oakmont Bites Back: Big Names Facing the Cut
While some flourished, Oakmont lived up to its reputation for punishing even the slightest misstep, causing significant challenges for many prominent players. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler battled his swing and the thick rough, shooting a 71 to finish at 4-over par, a score he described as requiring a significant mental fight. Jon Rahm also expressed frustration, particularly with his putting, after a 75 left him at 4-over.
The drama around the projected cut line (+7) captured significant attention throughout the afternoon. Several high-profile stars found themselves in jeopardy of missing the weekend for the first time in a major in a while. Rory McIlroy faced a particularly challenging round, starting with early double bogeys that put him well outside the cut line. Despite fighting back with crucial pars and a key 32-foot birdie putt on the 9th to get back to 7-over, subsequent struggles and missed opportunities on the back nine, including a bogey on the 11th after finding trouble, pushed him back to 8-over with limited holes remaining, making his path to the weekend increasingly difficult. Bryson DeChambeau also struggled significantly, finding himself alongside McIlroy at 8-over and potentially missing the cut. Jordan Spieth and Brooks Koepka, featured in the photos below, also had difficult second rounds as they fought to position themselves for the weekend.
Veteran Phil Mickelson, likely playing in his final U.S. Open due to his exemption status, was also battling to make the cut, demonstrating the depth of the challenge Oakmont presented across the field.
A Moment of Perfection: Perez Aces the 6th
Amidst the high scores and tense battles, the second round delivered a rare highlight: a hole-in-one. France’s Victor Perez aced the par-3, 192-yard sixth hole using a 7-iron. His shot bounced just short of the green before rolling into the cup, sparking enthusiastic celebration. This ace marked only the second time in U.S. Open history that a hole-in-one has been recorded at Oakmont Country Club, the first since Scott Simpson in 1983. Perez acknowledged the role of luck in the shot but highlighted it as a memorable moment that helped his chances of making the cut at 1-over par, well inside the projected line.
Capturing the Action: Photos from Round 2
Experience the sights from a challenging and eventful Friday at Oakmont Country Club.
Sam Burns walks off of the 9th green after completing his final hole of the day at Oakmont Country Club.
Brooks Koepka hits a shot out of the rough on the 18th hole at Oakmont Country Club.
Erik van Rooyen hits a shot out of the church pew bunkers on the 4th hole at Oakmont Country Club.
Jordan Spieth watches his shot out of the rough on the 4th hole at Oakmont Country Club.
Max Greyserman tosses his club after a shot on the 4th hole at Oakmont Country Club.
Nick Taylor hits a shot on the 4th hole at Oakmont Country Club.
Preston Summerhays reacts to his shot on the 4th hole at Oakmont Country Club.
Brooks Koepka reacts after missing a putt on the 9th hole at Oakmont Country Club.
Justin Thomas looks on after playing his final hole of the day at Oakmont Country Club.
Scottie Scheffler walks onto the green at the 9th hole at Oakmont Country Club.
Viktor Hovland reacts after missing a putt on the 9th hole at Oakmont Country Club.
Crowds of people surround the 7th hole at Oakmont Country Club.
The second round at Oakmont proved to be a true test of championship golf, separating contenders from those unable to tame its demands. With the leaderboard taking shape and several big names fighting for survival, the weekend promises even more compelling action on this historic course.
