PINEHURST, North Carolina – The 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 saw Patrick Cantlay and Rory McIlroy leading the pack as they head into the second round. With only 15 players managing to shoot under-par rounds on Thursday, it’s clear that the course presents a significant challenge for the competitors. Following behind Cantlay and McIlroy are Ludvig Åberg, Matthieu Pavon, and Bryson DeChambeau, the 2020 U.S. Open champion.
Tiger Woods, a three-time U.S. Open winner, struggled in the first round with a 4-over 74. As he enters the second round, he will need to improve his game to secure a spot for the weekend. Currently, 73 players are at 3 over or better, with the cut line expected to be around 4 over. Woods faced challenges with his iron play and putting in the first round, aiming to avoid missing the cut at another major tournament.
Thomas Detry made a remarkable turnaround, posting a 17-shot improvement from his first-round score of 14-over to a 3-under 67. The highlight came from Sam Bairstow, who went from a 14-over 84 on Thursday to a 3-under 67 on Friday, marking a significant improvement in his performance at the U.S. Open.
Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1-ranked player, faced struggles in the second round, needing to turn things around to avoid missing the cut. Despite the challenges, Viktor Hovland showcased resilience with a series of birdies, showing a strong effort to make the cut.
Xander Schauffele impressed with a solid performance, carding 3s on multiple holes throughout the second round. Sepp Straka experienced a mix of misfortune and luck, bouncing back from a triple bogey with an impressive hole-in-one on the ninth.
The tournament also saw strong performances from Belgium’s Thomas Detry and Germany’s Martin Kaymer, bringing an element of surprise and nostalgia to the U.S. Open. As the competition intensifies at Pinehurst No. 2, each player faces unique challenges and opportunities to make their mark on the prestigious event.