OAKMONT, Pa. — As Phil Mickelson, aka Lefty, aka Phil the Thrill, aka FIGJAM, aka one of the two most famous golfers of the 21st century, teed off Thursday in what might be his final U.S. Open, there were more security guards than journalists following him. And there were two security guards.

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The 2025 U.S. Open has not gone according to plan for Scottie Scheffler. The world's top-ranked player, who came in as the heavy favorite to win his second straight major championship, sits firmly inside the cut line but a ways off contention through 36 holes.

Scottie Scheffler may have to do something special this weekend at the U.S Open if he wants to win his fourth major.

Follow The Athletic ’s live coverage of the 2025 U.S. Open. OAKMONT, Pa. — Scottie Scheffler finished his second round at the U.S. Open on Friday at 4-over-par, eight shots back of the leader at that moment. He’s not convinced he’s out of it.

Scottie Scheffler kept coming back to the same answer when asked in different ways how a day that began with optimism at the U.S. Open turned into a 5 1/2-hour slog that left him well off the front page of the leaderboard.

The U.S. Open continues to be his kryptonite. Scheffler shot his sixth consecutive over-par round at the U.S. Open, including all four rounds last year at Pinehurst No. 2. Scheffler, who opened with 73 on Thursday, said he didn’t hit the ball into the correct spots and paid the price for it.