Follow The Athletic ’s live coverage of the 2025 U.S. Open. OAKMONT, Pa. — Scottie Scheffler finished his second round at the U.S. Open on Friday at 4-over-par, eight shots back of the leader at that moment. He’s not convinced he’s out of it.

Scheffler, despite not having his best stuff, grinded out a 1-over-par 71 in Friday’s second round to keep himself in contention, at 4-over par, to win his second major of the year, and the third leg of a career Grand Slam. He spent much of the day hovering around the cut line, which was projected to be 5-over while he was playing.

OAKMONT, Pa. — As Phil Mickelson, aka Lefty, aka Phil the Thrill, aka FIGJAM, aka one of the two most famous golfers of the 21st century, teed off Thursday in what might be his final U.S. Open, there were more security guards than journalists following him. And there were two security guards.

OAKMONT, Pa. — The shot doesn’t matter. It could be on the driving range, the first tee box or the 18th fairway — a quiet practice round at home or the Sunday of a major championship. Scottie Scheffler doesn’t go off-script.

OAKMONT, Pa. — Scottie Scheffler made yet another visit to Oakmont’s famous Church Pews. He also bogeyed a hole after nearly driving the green. That wasn’t enough to knock the top-ranked player out of contention — in the eyes of the betting markets and Scheffler himself.

The U.S. Open continues to be his kryptonite. Scheffler shot his sixth consecutive over-par round at the U.S. Open, including all four rounds last year at Pinehurst No. 2. Scheffler, who opened with 73 on Thursday, said he didn’t hit the ball into the correct spots and paid the price for it.

Pre-tournament favourite Scottie Scheffler headed out early in the U.S. Open second round on Friday hoping to play his way into contention at Oakmont Country Club, where overnight leader J.J. Spaun was scheduled to go out with the late starters.