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Aberg Leads, Scheffler Barely Makes Cut After Blistering U.S. Open Day at Pinehurst

U.S. Open - Round Two

Ludvig Aberg of Sweden looks on with caddie Joe Skovron from the 15th green during the second round of the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort on June 14, 2024 in Pinehurst, North Carolina. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Under scorching hot sunny skies, birdies were at a premium Friday during the second round of the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.

Playing in his very first U.S. Open, the name atop the leaderboard isn't one casual golf fans will likely recognize: Ludvig Aberg. Aberg turned pro just one year ago this month, but looked like a seasoned pro Friday. It's a similar look to how he handled this year's Masters Tournament, where he surprised everyone to finish as runner-up behind Scottie Scheffler. (SEE THE BEST IMAGES FROM ROUND 2 BELOW.)

Friday, Aberg played solid, grinding out three birdies and two bogies. He stayed near the top of the leaderboard most of the day, and when the smoke cleared, his 1-under round was good enough.

Behind him, three players are sitting at 4-under. Bryson DeChambeau had a 1-under round to stay near the top. And Thursday's leader, Patrick Cantlay, had a 1-over round to stay in contention. Belgium's Thomas Detry had one of the best rounds of the day, finishing 3-under, and tied for second.

Another former U.S. Open champion leads the group of golfers at 3-under, tied for fifth: Rory McIlroy. He bobbled through his round, finishing with a 2-over, 72. Tony Finau and Matthieu Pavon are there as well.

It wasn't all sunshine for world number one Scheffler. He battled through a 4-over, 74 to finish at 5-over. That was just good enough to play the weekend though.

Missing out on the weekend will be Tiger Woods, who said this "may or may not" be his last U.S. Open, after a frustrating round of 73, coming off a first-round 74. He was 7-over, and missed the cut by two strokes.

Saturday play begins at 8:44 a.m., with Ryan Fox and Sahith Theegala getting things going for the 74 golfers who made the weekend. Scheffler will tee off with Cameron Young at 10:01 a.m. And our leaders, Aberg and DeChambeau will hit the course at 3:35 p.m.

U.S. Open - Round Two

PINEHURST, NORTH CAROLINA - JUNE 14: Thomas Detry of Belgium high-fives his wife Sarah on the ninth hole during the second round of the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort on June 14, 2024 in Pinehurst, North Carolina. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

U.S. Open - Round Two

PINEHURST, NORTH CAROLINA - JUNE 14: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays a shot on the 18th hole during the second round of the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort on June 14, 2024 in Pinehurst, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

U.S. Open - Round Two

PINEHURST, NORTH CAROLINA - JUNE 14: Akshay Bhatia of the United States plays his shot from the 18th tee during the second round of the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort on June 14, 2024 in Pinehurst, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

U.S. Open - Round Two

PINEHURST, NORTH CAROLINA - JUNE 14: Brooks Koepka of the United States smiles on the 18th hole during the second round of the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort on June 14, 2024 in Pinehurst, North Carolina. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

U.S. Open - Round Two

PINEHURST, NORTH CAROLINA - JUNE 14: Will Zalatoris of the United States hits a tee shot during the second round of the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort on June 14, 2024 in Pinehurst, North Carolina. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

U.S. Open - Round Two

PINEHURST, NORTH CAROLINA - JUNE 14: Ludvig Aberg of Sweden looks on with caddie Joe Skovron from the 15th green during the second round of the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort on June 14, 2024 in Pinehurst, North Carolina. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

U.S. Open - Round Two

PINEHURST, NORTH CAROLINA - JUNE 14: A standard shows the names of Tony Finau of the United States, Ludvig Aberg of Sweden and Dustin Johnson of the United States during the second round of the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort on June 14, 2024 in Pinehurst, North Carolina. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

U.S. Open - Round Two

PINEHURST, NORTH CAROLINA - JUNE 14: Tom Hoge of the United States plays a second shot on the 18th hole during the second round of the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort on June 14, 2024 in Pinehurst, North Carolina. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

U.S. Open - Round Two

PINEHURST, NORTH CAROLINA - JUNE 14: Sergio Garcia of Spain plays his second shot on the second hole during the second round of the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort on June 14, 2024 in Pinehurst, North Carolina. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

U.S. Open - Round Two

PINEHURST, NORTH CAROLINA - JUNE 14: Adam Hadwin of Canada carries his golf bag on the sixth green during the second round of the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort on June 14, 2024 in Pinehurst, North Carolina. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

U.S. Open - Round Two

PINEHURST, NORTH CAROLINA - JUNE 14: Si Woo Kim of South Korea reacts on the fifth green during the second round of the 124th U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort on June 14, 2024 in Pinehurst, North Carolina. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Brandon Plotnick is a former sports journalist, now living in the digital space with interests all over the musical and pop culture map.