Sam Burns made a single bogey and closed with a 5-under 65 to take a one-shot lead at 3-under at the US Open with play suspended overnight due to lightning in the area.

This was Burns’ low 36-hole score in a major (137). His previous low was 138 (twice, at the 2022 US Open and the 2022 PGA Championship).

“I played really well yesterday other than the finishing holes. So I think today was just kind of getting mentally ready to come out and try to put a good round together,” said Burns. “I feel like I’ve been playing well coming off last week and into this week and my round yesterday. Really just trying to get yourself in position out here and give yourself as many looks as you can.

“There’s obviously a lot of golf left on a very tough golf course, so I think really this afternoon just getting rest and getting ready for tomorrow.”

If it stands, this would be the American’s first 36-hole lead/co-lead in a major. His previous best position was T6 at the 2023 Masters Tournament where he finished T29.

The 28-year-old seeks his sixth win in his 174th start on the PGA Tour (2021 Valspar Championship; 2021 Sanderson Farms Championship; 2022 Valspar Championship; 2022 Charles Schwab Challenge; 2023 WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play) but he seeks his first major title (best finish: T9/2024 US Open). He has had one top-10 finish in six previous appearances at the US Open (T9/2024/Pinehurst No. 2); MC at Oakmont Country Club in his US Open debut in 2016 (74-75).

Burns has recorded three top-10 finishes in sixteen starts this season (T8/The Sentry; T5/The CJ Cup Byron Nelson; P2/RBC Canadian Open).

In the first two majors of the 2025 season, he finished T46 (Masters Tournament) and T19 (PGA Championship).

3-under would be the highest score-to-par for the 36-hole lead at the US Open since 2013 (1-under/Phil Mickelson, Billy Horschel/Merion Golf Club).

American 18-hole leader J.J. Spaun would hold his best 36-hole position in a major after carding a 72, having made four birdies and six birdies to move down into second place at 2-under. His previous best position was T16 at the 2022 Masters Tournament where he finished T23.

The 34-year-old seeks his second win on Tour in his 236th start (2022 Valero Texas Open) and his first major title.

He has had four top-10 finishes in sixteen starts in 2025 (T3/Sony Open in Hawaii; T2/Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches; P2/The Players Championship; T6/Charles Schwab Challenge).

In the first two majors of the 2025 season, Spaun finished 50th (Masters Tournament) and T37 (PGA Championship).

Viktor Hovland lies in third place at 1-under having carded a 2-under 68, including an eagle-2 on No. 17, five birdies, three birdies and a double bogey at the par-4 2nd. He looks to become the first player from Norway to win a major.

Making his 96th consecutive major appearance (the longest active streak), Australia’s Adam Scott posted an even-par 70 for the second consecutive day and is tied in fourth place. He is aiming to become the third player from Australia to win the US Open (David Graham/1981; Geoff Ogilvy/2006).

Seeking his third win in seven starts, American Ben Griffin also sits in fourth at even-par. He won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans (with partner Andrew Novak) and Charles Schwab Challenge and finished 2nd in his most recent start at the Memorial Tournament.

World No. 1 and FedExCup leader Scottie Scheffler of the United States carded a 1-over 71 to move up into T23 at 4-over. The PGA Championship winner looks to become the first player since Jordan Spieth (2015 Masters Tournament; 2015 US Open) to win consecutive majors.

2011 champion Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland made two double bogeys, at the par-4s 1st and 3rd, as well as three birdies and one bogey for a 72, and currently lies in T45 at 6-over. He is projected to make his seventh consecutive cut at the US Open. He has finished in the top 10 in each of the previous six (T9/2019; T8/2020; T7/2021; T5/2022; 2nd/2023; 2nd/2024).

Related: Forever loved — forever missed — forever Arnie

125th US Open / Oakmont CC