Sam Burns hit a sensational five-under 65 to set the clubhouse target as Scottie Scheffler battled to make the cut during the second round of the US Open.Only four of 78 players in the early wave posted under-par scores on another gruelling day at Oakmont with Burns improving to three under overall.

Sam Burns took a one-shot lead into the final round of the U.S. Open at Oakmont. From there, things did not go well.

American’s second-round 65 has him alone atop the U.S. Open while favorites like Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau struggle.

The U.S. Open was there for the taking, but Scottie Scheffler couldn't grab it. Afterward, he was left with one unshakable thought.

OAKMONT, Pa. — Sam Burns is a birdie machine at Oakmont, a label not many expected at this U.S. Open. By avoiding another sloppy finish, Burns posted a 5-under 65 on Friday and set the target for the late starters — and let Scottie Scheffler know the mountain he faced.

Brooks Koepka, the last player to win back-to-back U.S. Opens, flirted with the top of the leaderboard on Friday, never made a move, shooting 73 to stand at 5-over. Collin Morikawa, a two-time major winner, never made a move, shooting 74 to stand at 8-over for the week.

The ridiculously high standards that Scottie Scheffler has set the last 3 ½ years often lead to even higher expectations, which makes his start at the U.S. Open feel like such an anomaly.