The first round of the 2025 U.S. Open has set the stage for what promises to be an intense second round at the historic Oakmont Country Club. Golf enthusiasts were treated to a thrilling start, yet only ten players managed to conclude Thursday below par, reflecting the course’s well-known challenges. Despite favorable weather, Oakmont presented its customary tough test even to the best players in the world.
As we move into the second round, the pressure mounts. The mental and physical strains of competing in a U.S. Open can be daunting, and players must strive to maintain their momentum on a course that punishes even the smallest errors. Achieving a clean round at Oakmont is commendable; following it up with another can feel nearly insurmountable.
The dynamics of the leaderboard after round one reveal that—similar to other recent majors—many star players are not occupying prime positions. But history has shown us that in golf, talent often resurfaces when it matters most. The second round offers a vital opportunity for top players to make a move upward, while others scramble to ensure their place in the tournament remains intact.
Brooks Koepka, who stands at -2, delivered his best first round in a major in two years. Teeing off at 7:18 a.m. ET, he has a chance to assert his status as a formidable contender for his third U.S. Open victory. Not far behind, Jon Rahm at -1 and Jordan Spieth, who is even par, will group together at 7:29 a.m. This pairing is noteworthy, not just for their potential but because Rahm has quickly become the betting favorite at odds of 11/2, reflecting a strong sense of faith in his abilities.
However, some of the pre-tournament favorites had a rough start. Scottie Scheffler, at 6-1 odds, struggled to a score of 73, leaving him seven strokes off the lead. He will take to the course at 7:40 a.m. on the 10th hole, partnering with Collin Morikawa and Viktor Hovland. Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau and Rory McIlroy also faced challenges in their opening rounds and will look for redemption in the afternoon wave. DeChambeau kicks off at 1:14 p.m., while McIlroy starts shortly after at 1:25 p.m.
While some big names fight to recover, newcomers such as J.J. Spaun and Thriston Lawrence have captured attention at the top of the leaderboard with commendable scores of -4 and -3, respectively. Both will play their second rounds in the afternoon, with Spaun starting at 12:52 p.m. and Lawrence teeing off at 2:20 p.m., putting them under the spotlight amid growing expectations.
The pairings for the second round are structured in a way that emphasizes both suspense and intrigue. Each grouping has the potential to reshape the leaderboard as different players bring their narratives and strategies to the green. For a full breakdown of everything you need to follow the action, check out the comprehensive U.S. Open television schedule and coverage guide.
As golf fans prepare for the next phase of this prestigious tournament, here is the complete tee time lineup for Friday’s second round:
2025 U.S. Open Second Round Tee Times
Hole No. 1:
- 6:45 a.m. — Will Chandler, Andrea Pavan, Takumi Kanaya
- 6:56 a.m. — Bryan Lee (a), Guido Migliozzi, Preston Summerhays
- 7:07 a.m. — Erik van Rooyen, Max Greyserman, Matt Wallace
- 7:18 a.m. — Russell Henley, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Nick Taylor
- 7:29 a.m. — Jordan Spieth, Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson
- 7:40 a.m. — Tyrrell Hatton, Sungjae Im, Sepp Straka
- 7:51 a.m. — Cameron Young, Tom Hoge, J.T. Poston
- 8:02 a.m. — Jhonattan Vegas, Michael Kim, Matthieu Pavon
- 8:13 a.m. — Marc Leishman, Aaron Rai, Nick Dunlap
- 8:24 a.m. — Matthew Jordan, Yuta Sugiura, Carlos Ortiz
- 12:30 p.m. — Zac Blair, Scott Vincent, Alistair Docherty
- 12:52 p.m. — Tom Kim, JJ Spaun, Taylor Pendrith
- 1:14 p.m. — Ben Griffin, Andrew Novak, Maverick McNealy
- 1:25 p.m. — Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy
- 1:36 p.m. — Patrick Cantlay, Si Woo Kim, Lucas Glover
- 1:47 p.m. — Cameron Smith, Brian Harman, Phil Mickelson
Hole No. 10:
- 6:45 a.m. — Frederick Lacroix, Emiliano Grillo, Sam Bairstow
- 7:18 a.m. — Min Woo Lee, Justin Thomas, Brooks Koepka
- 7:29 a.m. — Sam Burns, Nico Echavarria, Denny McCarthy
- 7:40 a.m. — Viktor Hovland, Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler
- 8:13 a.m. — Mackenzie Hughes, Tony Finau, Chris Kirk
- 1:14 p.m. — Xander Schauffele, Jose Luis Ballester, Bryson DeChambeau
- 1:25 p.m. — Matt Fitzpatrick, Wyndham Clark, Gary Woodland
The heightened drama and anticipation surrounding the second round remind us why the U.S. Open remains one of the most prestigious events in the golfing calendar. As players seek redemption, a chance to rise in the rankings, and, ultimately, the coveted title, fans across the globe will be glued to their screens.
These pairings not only highlight emerging and established talent but also hint at the unpredictability and excitement that make golf such an exhilarating sport to watch. With each swing, every putt, and the challenging nuances of Oakmont, the 2025 U.S. Open remains a testament to the captivating nature of the game we all love.
