Scottie Scheffler showed resilience at the U.S. Open on Friday, delivering a composed performance after a challenging start at Shinnecock Hills. His 2-under 68 round placed him at even par for the tournament, tying for 11th place, seven strokes behind leader Wyndham Clark.
Scheffler aims to become the seventh player to achieve the career Grand Slam, coinciding with his upcoming 30th birthday. Notably, he broke a 10-round streak of not scoring below par at the U.S. Open. Last year, he finished seventh at Oakmont.
The day began positively for Scheffler after a productive discussion with coach Randy Smith. He birdied the 10th hole, benefiting from improved conditions compared to the previous day’s challenging weather.
When questioned about preferred course conditions, Scheffler simply stated he would play regardless of setup. He managed three birdies and only one bogey in the second round, contrasting with a mixed scorecard on Thursday.
“I did a good job of keeping a pretty clean card today. That’s always nice on a challenging course like this,” Scheffler expressed.
Scheffler’s steady performance mirrored past victories, including two Masters and the PGA Championship. He hit 12 of 14 fairways and reached 15 greens in regulation, improving from Thursday’s statistics.
An unfulfilled putt on No. 2 and another short attempt on No. 7 left Scheffler wanting more. Despite this, he acknowledged his solid play and numerous well-executed shots.
“I wish I could have made more birdies, but I did a lot of good stuff out there,” Scheffler reflected.
Though a bogey at No. 13 posed a minor setback, he remained composed after saving par on the 17th. Reflecting on the tournament’s progress, Scheffler emphasized the importance of persistence.
Throughout Friday’s round, Scheffler and his group, including J.J. Spaun and Mason Howell, encountered routine delays, often waiting for groups ahead. During a pause at No. 2, Scheffler enjoyed a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, unfazed by a fan’s curiosity.
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