Sam Burns fires 65 to grab US Open lead as big names stumble

OAKMONT – Sam Burns matched the third-best US Open round ever fired at Oakmont, shooting a five-under 65 to seize a one-stroke lead after the second round on June 13 as big names struggled.

The 28-year-old American made six birdies against a lone bogey to stand on three-under 137 after 36 holes on the punishing layout.

“It felt like I played really well. Today was really nice,” he said. “But there’s obviously a lot of golf left on a very tough course.”

The only two US Open rounds at Oakmont lower than Burns’ 65 were Johnny Miller’s final-round 63 to win in 1973 and a 64 by Loren Roberts in the 1994 third round.

American J.J. Spaun made bogeys on three of the last four holes to shoot 72 and stand second on 138 with Norway’s Viktor Hovland third on 139 after a 68 – the top trio being the only players under par after 36 holes.

“I was definitely anxious to get back out here and see how the game would pan out, and it ended up being a pretty good day,” Spaun said.

“It was more of a true US Open round, a lot of back and forth, a lot of grinding, bogeys. It was still an overall good day. I’m still right there.”

World No. 14 Hovland marveled at 22nd-ranked Burns and his stunning round.

“Super impressive,” Hovland called it. “It just feels like you have to play absolutely perfect and have some good breaks going your way, as well, but it’s definitely doable.”

Heavy rains drenched Oakmont, halting play for the day at 8.15pm.

World No. 2 Rory McIlroy struggled to make the cut, with double bogeys at the first and third holes, but sank a five-foot birdie putt at the 18th to shoot 72 and