Burns, statistically the world's best putter, hooped a clutch par save to shoot 65 Friday at Oakmont and enter this U.S. Open weekend at 3 under.

Oakmont Country Club has delivered as advertised across the first two rounds of the 2025 U.S. Open leaving most of the 156-man field battered and beaten by the toughest golf course in the United States.

Sam Burns came into Friday knowing that he could play at Oakmont. He also knew what the course could do to him, having finished with three bogeys and one double bogey during Thursday’s opening round.

Sam Burns revealed the role that his friend, Scottie Scheffler, has played in his career, including his status as the 54-hole leader of the 2025 U.S. Open.

Sam Burns has taken the second-round lead at the U.S. Open and several big names in the field have missed the cut as Oakmont Country Club continues to pack a punch.

Through 36 holes at the U.S. Open, Sam Burns already has made 11 birdies, matching the number winner Dustin Johnson made for the entire 2016 Open.

Burns was twice denied relief from perceived temporary water on the 15th hole Sunday at Oakmont before double-bogeying the hole and losing the U.S. Open by five shots.

It just showed a clever bit of awareness and foresight. In the heat of the pressure and the pouring rain, Burns stopped himself from making a potentially very costly error. It was a small moment, but the kind of decision that wins U.S. Opens.