Scottie Scheffler's Steady Play Positions Him Well at the U.S. Open

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. (AP) — Scottie Scheffler showcased his trademark composure and skill at the U.S. Open on Friday, rebounding from a challenging start to finish with a solid score. His 2-under par 68 brought him to even par for the tournament, placing him in a tie for 11th, seven strokes off the lead held by Wyndham Clark. With two rounds remaining, a victory on his upcoming 30th birthday would make him the seventh player to achieve a career Grand Slam.

Friday marked a significant turnaround for the four-time major winner, who ended a streak of ten U.S. Open rounds without breaking par. Last year, he finished tied for seventh at Oakmont, finishing four over par. After a productive discussion with his coach Randy Smith on Thursday, Scheffler appeared more relaxed and focused during his second round.

He began the day with a birdie on the 10th hole, having previously parred it during the first round amid challenging winds. Reflecting on the course setup for the weekend, Scheffler remarked, “Doesn’t really matter to me. I just play.” His round included three birdies and only one bogey, a marked improvement from his first round where he recorded four birdies, four bogeys, and a double bogey.

“I did a good job of keeping a pretty clean card today,” Scheffler noted, acknowledging the difficulty of the course. He hit 12 out of 14 fairways and reached 15 greens in regulation, a notable improvement from his previous day's performance. Despite some near misses on birdie attempts, he remained optimistic about his play.

As he navigated the course, Scheffler maintained a lighthearted demeanor, sharing moments of humor with his caddie, Ted Scott. After a brief struggle with a bogey on the short par-4 13th, he quickly regained his focus, demonstrating resilience as he moved through the challenging layout. “I had a tough front nine yesterday, but battled back nicely on the back nine,” Scheffler reflected, looking ahead to the next rounds.

As the tournament progresses, Scheffler remains determined to build on his performance, hoping to continue his steady approach on the way to a potential championship.