Golf

OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) — By the time Phil Mickelson reached the 18th green at Oakmont on Friday evening, the once-packed grandstand was maybe a quarter-full. Same for the luxury suites.

OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) — Scottie Scheffler made yet another visit to Oakmont's famous Church Pews. He also bogeyed a hole after nearly driving the green.

OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) — Sam Burns avoided a meltdown that ruined his opening round at the U.S. Open and wound up with a big par save on his last hole for a 5-under 65 and the 36-hole lead.

OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) — Thriston Lawrence walked onto the 10th tee box at 2:20 p.m. to begin his second round at the U.S. Open with his name near the top of the front page of the leaderboard.

OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) — First Rory McIlroy flung an iron down the 12th fairway. Then he used driver to demolish a tee marker on 17. He might not win the sportsmanship award at the U.S. Open, but he will get to play on the weekend.

OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) — Bryson DeChambeau was the only player beating balls in the rain on the driving range as sundown approached Friday at Oakmont. Those were the last shots he'll hit at this year's U.S. Open.

OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) — Victor Perez capped a nice second-day rally with a tournament highlight — the first U.S. Open ace at Oakmont since 1983. Perez hit a 7-iron on the sixth hole, a 192-yard par 3.

OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) — Shane Lowry had spent 32 holes being battered by Oakmont Country Club. Then he made a mistake that couldn't be blamed on the course. “Probably one of the stupidest things I've ever done,” he said.

BELMONT, Mich. (AP) — Lexi Thompson was back in contention going into the weekend in her beloved Meijer LPGA Classic, a year after a playoff loss at Blythefield County Club.

OAKMONT, Pa. (AP) — Shane Lowry had spent 32 holes being battered by Oakmont Country Club. Then he made a mistake that couldn't be blamed on the course. “Probably one of the stupidest things I've ever done,” he said.