Sam Burns hit a sensational five-under 65 to set the clubhouse target as Scottie Scheffler battled to make the cut during the second round of the US Open.

Only four of 78 players in the early wave posted under-par scores on another gruelling day at Oakmont with Burns improving to three under overall.

The top 60 and ties make it through to the weekend, and world number one Scheffler is set to be comfortably inside the cut mark, which is projected to be seven over with 78 players to complete their rounds.

Scheffler scrapped to a 71, mixing four birdies with five bogeys to finish on four over, but his fellow American Burns enjoyed a better day in Pennsylvania, posting the lowest score of the week.

Burns, who finished runner-up at last week’s Canadian Open, had six birdies in his round and finished with a 22-foot par putt to leave himself one behind round one leader JJ Spaun, who was just heading out among the later starters.

Norway’s Viktor Hovland was scintillating through his opening eight holes, including a brilliant chip-in eagle at the 17th (his eighth) to also close within one of Spaun.

However, a rollercoaster back nine that featured two birdies, two bogeys and a double bogey saw him post a 68 that leaves him at one under.

Masters winner champion Rory McIlroy is among those heading out with the later starters. The Northern Irishman begins at four over par, with the course expected to toughen as the round progresses.

More to follow.