Under scorching hot sunny skies, birdies were at a premium Friday during the second round of the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.
Playing in his very first U.S. Open, the name atop the leaderboard isn’t one casual golf fans will likely recognize: Ludvig Aberg. Aberg turned pro just one year ago this month, but looked like a seasoned pro Friday. It’s a similar look to how he handled this year’s Masters Tournament, where he surprised everyone to finish as runner-up behind Scottie Scheffler. (SEE THE BEST IMAGES FROM ROUND 2 BELOW.)
Friday, Aberg played solid, grinding out three birdies and two bogies. He stayed near the top of the leaderboard most of the day, and when the smoke cleared, his 1-under round was good enough.
Behind him, three players are sitting at 4-under. Bryson DeChambeau had a 1-under round to stay near the top. And Thursday’s leader, Patrick Cantlay, had a 1-over round to stay in contention. Belgium’s Thomas Detry had one of the best rounds of the day, finishing 3-under, and tied for second.
Another former U.S. Open champion leads the group of golfers at 3-under, tied for fifth: Rory McIlroy. He bobbled through his round, finishing with a 2-over, 72. Tony Finau and Matthieu Pavon are there as well.
It wasn’t all sunshine for world number one Scheffler. He battled through a 4-over, 74 to finish at 5-over. That was just good enough to play the weekend though.
Missing out on the weekend will be Tiger Woods, who said this “may or may not” be his last U.S. Open, after a frustrating round of 73, coming off a first-round 74. He was 7-over, and missed the cut by two strokes.
Saturday play begins at 8:44 a.m., with Ryan Fox and Sahith Theegala getting things going for the 74 golfers who made the weekend. Scheffler will tee off with Cameron Young at 10:01 a.m. And our leaders, Aberg and DeChambeau will hit the course at 3:35 p.m.
