First-round leader Martin Kaymer will be back on the course early Friday morning while a few big names, including Phil Mickelson, will have to wait until the afternoon to begin their second rounds. Who will make a run on Friday at Pinehurst?
The full U.S. Open field will be back on the course Friday for the second round. The leaderboard is crowded after the first round, leaving much of the field in contention and every hole as important as the last. A couple bogeys in a row could drop a player from contention to the wrong side of the cut line.
The afternoon waves appeared to have a bit of an edge on Thursday, when some overnight moisture made Pinehurst No. 2 softer than expected, but that may be opposite on Friday. Many of the players in Thursday's morning wave struggled to adjust to the conditions and played with caution. A number of the players in the afternoon -- who had the benefit of seeing how the course was playing early -- were more aggressive, leading to some better scores.
Inclement weather wasn't a factor on Thursday, but it could be on Friday, which may benefit the morning wave. Rain and thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon, according to the weather forecast. They aren't expected to hit until after noon, however, possibly allowing the morning wave to get in their rounds before a potential suspension in play. Depending on if the storms hit and how severe they are, that could be a major benefit. Not only would weather change the way the course plays, but if the late groups can't finish their rounds, they'll be in store for a very long day on Saturday.
First-round leader Martin Kaymer will be among the players going off in the morning. Kaymer shot a 5-under 65 on Thursday to take a three-stroke lead. The 65 was the best round ever carded in a U.S. Open round at Pinehurst No. 2. Kaymer will have a chance to add to his lead early on Friday with a scheduled tee time of 8:02 a.m. ET. He'll once again play with Keegan Bradley and Jason Dufner.
Adam Scott, the world No. 1, will also tee off in the morning. He's scheduled to step to the 10th tee at 7:40 a.m., playing with Bubba Watson and Charl Schwartzel. Scott struggled to get much going in the first round, finishing with a 3-over 73. He'll begin the second day right on the cut line. Watson will likely have ground to make up if he's going to be around for the weekend. He finished the day with five bogeys, a double bogey and just one birdie en route to a 6-over 76.
The afternoon wave, assuming it isn't interrupted by inclement weather, will be loaded with notable names and contenders. Phil Mickelson will tee off at 1:36 p.m., playing with defending U.S. Open champion Justin Rose and Matthew Fitzpatrick. Mickelson shot an even-par 70 on Thursday. Graeme McDowell was tied for the lead for much of the first round after carding a 2-under 68. He'll go off No. 10 at 1:25 p.m., playing with Rory McIlroy and Webb Simpson.
ESPN and NBC will once again combine for 10 hours of live television coverage, beginning at 9 a.m. That will allow viewers to watch most of the key shots live as they unfold. There will also be multiple online streams, including two marquee group streams from USOpen.com. Kaymer, Bradley and Dufner will be the featured morning group while Mickelson, Rose and Fitzpatrick will make up the afternoon marquee group. ESPN3 will also have two featured group streams with the trio of Watson, Scott and Schwartzel in the morning and Jordan Spieth, Hideki Matsuyama and Rickie Fowler in the afternoon.
Here is a complete look at the second round tee sheet from Pinehurst. All times Eastern. Going off Tee No. 1 Going off tee No. 10
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