U.S. Open: Course Gettin' Angry

Now firmly into the 2nd round of the U.S. Open, and we’re seeing what all the talk was about. Oakmont isn’t just taking a bite out of the field...it’s looking to take them all.

Day 1 saw a mixed bag of results, including the usual no-namers and underdogs finding their way to the top of the leaderboard. We’ll see how they fare on Day 2, but the morning groups today have absolutely been going through it.

It doesn’t matter if you’re an amateur, veteran, or the #1 ranked golfer in the world, today has been a mental and physical grind. Scottie Scheffler, the overwhelming favorite, has not found any kind of footing at all. His frustration has even boiled over at times. The positive, though, is that as I write this, he still has holes to show the one-of-a-kind game that’s made him world #1.

But my real interest through all of this carnage lies with my guys, a few of whom are thankfully already on the course and battling the morning.

Viktor Hovland is trying to keep himself in the hunt as he seeks his first major, while Jordan Spieth is having a very Spieth round, the usual mix of brilliance and chaos. But fans of Jordan know: he can always find a way back in it.

As of now, both of them are firmly above the cut line, but with Oakmont, an 8 on your scorecard could be lurking around any corner.

The man I’m truly worried about in the afternoon session is Ludvig Åberg. He had such a good round going Thursday until his final five holes, where he bogeyed four of them to finish +2.

Now, he’ll be teeing off on a course that’s getting tougher by the hour.

To stick around for the weekend, many are saying +6 or +7 will likely get you there, but to contend, he needs to think even par today. Going into the weekend at +2 isn’t a horrible spot.

Yes, you're thinking, “Okay, even isn’t an insane ask.”Well...it is.

He’ll need to be locked in for 18 straight holes, or he could find himself fighting just to make the weekend. His game the past two weekends has looked stronger, though, and he’ll need to channel that groove today if he wants a shot at his first major this weekend.

This afternoon and into the weekend, be prepared for anything.

Right now, we’re looking at a very wide-open U.S. Open. Things can always change, but the course doesn’t seem to have favorites. It’s ready and willing to crush anyone at any time.