Star Players on the Brink: Will They Miss the Cut at Oakmont?

Rory McIlroy Faces Challenges

After starting the tournament with a disappointing 74, Rory McIlroy’s second round hasn’t fared much better. Following a challenging opening, he posted double-bogeys on two of his first three holes, putting him in a precarious position. McIlroy struck his opening tee shot into a bunker and, after a tough recovery, made a six on the par-4 first hole. He managed to par No. 2, but found himself in more trouble on No. 3, ending the hole with another double-bogey.

Though he birdied the ninth hole, finishing at 7-over for the tournament means the star golfer must mount a significant comeback to secure a spot for the weekend.

Ludvig Aberg Continues His Decline

Day two has not been kind to Ludvig Aberg, starting at 2-over but struggling to recover as he racked up six bogeys without a birdie, slipping to 8-over after 13 holes. Aberg, who excelled with a tie for 12th in his sole U.S. Open appearance last year, now faces an uphill battle to remain competitive.

Matt Fitzpatrick Struggles

Matt Fitzpatrick, the reigning U.S. Open champion, finds himself in a precarious situation, sitting at 8-over as he navigated a tough stretch of holes — accruing four over par in just three holes after bogeys on Nos. 13 and 14, followed by a double on No. 15.

Patrick Reed’s Key Birdie

Highlighting his resilience, Patrick Reed made a critical birdie on the 17th hole, which could hand him a lifeline to make the cut. Notably, he achieved an albatross earlier in the round, hitting a 3-wood from 286 yards on the par-5 second hole, landing it directly in the cup and showcasing his power on the course.

However, he still hovered at 8-over when he approached the 17th and capitalized on a risk-reward opportunity, earning him a birdie and narrowing the gap to 7-over.

Challenges for Cameron Smith and Tom Kim

Meanwhile, Cameron Smith, who started with a birdie-free 75, quickly found himself fighting for survival after a triple-bogey on the opening hole of his second round. His challenges persisted as he struggled to regain his footing.

Tom Kim’s promising start turned sour as he accumulated multiple bogeys and a double on the third hole, landing him on the wrong side of the cut line by the afternoon.

Current Standings and Weather Implications

As the afternoon groups began their rounds and the morning players wrapped up, 61 golfers found themselves at 4-over or better. If the scores were to stay stagnant — which they likely won’t — those above +5 would miss the cut. At present, there is a 49 percent chance the cut will rise to 7-over and a 43 percent possibility for it to settle at 6-over.

Tom Hoge, who was at 5-over as he approached the 17th hole, faced a precarious situation. Despite the challenging conditions, Hoge ended with a bogey, leaving him closer to the cut line than desired.

Scottie Scheffler’s Second Round Performance

The world’s top-ranked golfer, Scottie Scheffler, played evenly during his second round. He started with a birdie on the par-4 10th but hit a snag, resulting in a double-bogey on the 15th hole. As of now, he stands at 3-over, just above the projected cut line of 4-over.

Notable players such as Bryson DeChambeau, Rory McIlroy, and Justin Thomas are also among those facing potential cut threats as the rounds progress.

Weather Forecast for Oakmont

Weather conditions in Oakmont, Pennsylvania, are expected to be overcast with temperatures in the low 80s, which may benefit players seeking to make critical birdies. A potential storm may sweep through the area around dinner time, but play will continue as long as there is no lightning.

What’s at Stake: Prize Money and Participation

The U.S. Open has attracted a record-breaking 10,202 entries this year, surpassing the previous record of 10,187 two years ago. The total purse for the tournament stands at $21.5 million, with $4.3 million designated for the champion, figures that remain consistent from the prior year.

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