As the U.S. Open progresses, the leaderboard is witnessing new contenders emerge and favorites falter. Swedish golfer Ludvig Åberg, 24, has taken a surprising lead with a consistent performance, finishing the first half at five under par. His recent success on the DP World Tour and PGA Tour has bolstered his confidence and he now holds a 23.2% chance of claiming the title according to datagolf.com. Meanwhile, Thomas Detry of Belgium is in a strong position, tied for second and continuing his streak of impressive performances in majors. In stark contrast, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler faced the possibility of an early exit after a birdie-less round of 74, his first in over two years. Despite his struggles, Scheffler managed to make the cut by a single stroke, keeping his tournament hopes alive. The course at Pinehurst No. 2 has proven challenging, with its rough areas and fast greens causing difficulties for many, including Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, both of whom missed the cut. The tournament has seen its share of dramatic moments, with Sepp Straka scoring the first hole-in-one of the PGA Tour at the U.S. Open, and Francesco Molinari making a hole-in-one on his last hole to make the cut. As the weekend approaches, the field remains wide open, with every stroke playing a critical role in determining the next U.S. Open champion.
Key points
- Ludvig Åberg leads the U.
- Scottie Scheffler narrowly makes the cut by one stroke despite a difficult round.
- Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson among several big names to miss the cut at Pinehurst No.
- Sepp Straka scores the first hole-in-one of the tournament.
S.
Open at five under par after the first half.
2.
