The 2025 U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club has seen unexpected twists during its second round, as Thriston Lawrence surged to the top of the leaderboard with an impressive performance.
Lawrence, the South African golfer, became the solo leader at -6 after executing three consecutive birdies, pushing ahead of J.J. Spaun, who fell back to -3 following his third bogey of the day.
Starting his stellar run with a 25-foot birdie on the 11th hole, Lawrence added to his score with a two-putt birdie on the par-5 12th and another from 20 feet on the par-3 13th, marking him the first player in the field to reach 6 under.
Despite the challenging conditions that saw several players struggling, Lawrence exhibited remarkable resilience and will now face the task of maintaining this momentum throughout the rest of his round.
Meanwhile, both Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy, once considered pre-tournament favorites, are now at risk of missing the cut.
DeChambeau began the round at +3 and quickly fell back with four bogeys and a lone birdie through the first seven holes, dropping him to +6.
McIlroy experienced a troubling start with two double bogeys in his first three holes and has since stabilized with four pars but still requires at least one birdie to have a chance at making the cut.
With the projected cut line hovering around +7 and many players at +6 or better, the pressure is mounting as the afternoon wave is still on the course.
In the thick of the competition, Lawrence and Ben Griffin have begun to close the gap on J.J. Spaun, who recently moved to 5 under after a birdie on the par-3 6th.
Spaun’s ability to bounce back from a bogey on No. 7 to regain a two-shot advantage over both Lawrence and Sam Burns highlights his consistency under pressure.
Burns had earlier shot a scintillating 65, providing him with a total of 3 under for the tournament.
Ben Griffin, currently in solid form, managed to make two birdies during an impressive front nine, showcasing his scoring ability on one of the course’s more challenging segments.
As both Spaun and Burns navigate the strategically challenging layout of Oakmont, their ability to overcome obstacles will be pivotal.
Adding to the day’s excitement was Victor Perez, who made a remarkable hole-in-one on the 192-yard par-3 6th, showcasing the thrilling moments that can occur, even at such a demanding tournament.
Tyrrell Hatton also contributed to the intrigue with an impressive chip-in eagle on the par-5 12th, demonstrating that despite the toughness of the course, brilliance can emerge from the world’s best players.
As many competitors struggle, players such as Viktor Hovland are finding ways to rise to the occasion, much like Brooks Koepka, who bounced back to equal his best score of the day on 17 with a chip-in birdie, returning to 3 under.
Conversely, Scottie Scheffler, who opened brightly, hit a snag after the turn, struggling with his game on a demanding front nine while attempting to find his rhythm.
The cut line appears to be a moving target, particularly with players like Jordan Spieth, who made a double on the ninth hole, adding further uncertainty to his weekend chances.
Spieth began the day following his solid opening round, but successive bogeys and a double have pushed him into precarious territory.
As the tournament progresses, the challenges at Oakmont undoubtedly will remain for all players, especially as they traverse one of the hardest tests in golf.
The top of the leaderboard is shaping up with players like Hovland and Burns inching closer to the lead held by Lawrence, reflecting the continuous drama and tension characterizing the U.S. Open.
As Sam Burns completes his round, tallying an impressive -5, he may hold the advantage in the clubhouse with the strategic outdoor elements yet to play out for those still competing on the course.
Ultimately, how the remaining players cope with the pressures of a major championship will define the tournament as they all strive for that coveted U.S. Open title.
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