Sam Burns knew what to expect from Oakmont’s challenging layout after his rocky opening round on Thursday. But instead of dwelling on the three bogeys and double bogey, he focused on the five birdies that set him up for a strong performance.
Burns shot a 5-under 65 on Friday, taking sole control of the US Open halfway through the tournament. The win would be his first in a major championship, ending a drought since last year’s US Open at Pinehurst No. 2.
A five-time PGA Tour winner, Burns is known for his clutch putting skills. However, he had been struggling with his putter this week, coming close to disaster on the playoff hole of the RBC Canadian Open just last week.
Despite that setback, Burns played freely and reacted well to Oakmont’s demands. He trusts in his short game and has a patient approach that suits the course’s brutal nature.
Burns’ friend Scottie Scheffler praised his playing style, saying he “gets it right” when it matters most. The Texan teammate also acknowledged Burns’ competitiveness, stating that he always dreams of winning major tournaments.
With 11 of the last 12 US Open champions in the top five after the first two rounds, Burns is now in historically good position to take home the title. As for the weekend, he’s looking forward to the challenge, ready to put in a round under par and make his move towards victory.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/06/14/sport/sam-burns-us-open-spt