Master Scheffler makes his move in US Open

Frank Pingue | June 18, 2022

Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, bolstered by a late eagle, has grabbed a share of the second-round clubhouse lead at the US Open while a number of other prominent golfers were in a battle with the cut-line.

World No.1 Scheffler, who began Friday four shots back of first-round leader Adam Hadwin, carded a three-under-par 67 to reach three under at The Country Club outside Boston, where the afternoon wave looked set to face tougher conditions.

That left Scheffler level with fellow American Nick Hardy (68), while Sam Burns (67) was in the clubhouse one shot back.

South Africa’s MJ Daffue, who began the day in a share of second and one shot back of Canada’s Hadwin, made the turn with a three-shot cushion but struggled on the back nine en route to 72 that left him two shots back on a crowded leaderboard.

Pre-tournament favourite and four-time major champion Rory McIlroy, by far the most decorated of the players who were one shot adrift after a three-under opening round, was among the late starters.

The other three players who finished the first round in a share of second place — Englishman Callum Tarren, Swede David Lingmerth and Joel Dahmen — also had afternoon tee times when stiffer crosswinds are expected.

But Tarren remained tough at the top, improving to the outright lead at four under after six holes of his second round.

Scheffler was one over on the day when he stepped up to the par-four 13th where he stuffed his approach shot to six feet and then eagled the par-five 14th when, 55 yards from the hole, he chipped in from the second cut of rough.

He added another birdie at the par-three 16th with a 10-foot putt and followed that with two routine pars.

Hadwin was unable to build off his opening 66, which marked his career-low score in a major championship, and was four over through 15 holes on Friday.

Six-time U.S. Open runner-up Phil Mickelson carded a 78 in the first round less than a week after making his LIV Golf debut and was three over through 16 holes on Friday which left him well outside the projected four over cutline.

Australian No.1 Cameron Smith (74) was at six over on the week and all but headed for his second consecutive missed cut at a US Open.

Among the players at two over and flirting with the cutline going into their second round are 2015 U.S. Open champion Jordan Spieth and reigning PGA Tour Player of the Year Patrick Cantlay.