Strong Second Round Puts Morikawa in Contention at U.S. Open

Former Cal golfer Collin Morikawa bounces back from mediocre first round, ties for low round of the day

Collin Morikawa | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Former Cal golfer bounced back in a big way on Friday to put himself in the mix for a U.S. Open title.

After completing his suspended first round with a par on his one remaining hole for an opening-round 3-over 73, Morikawa put together seven birdies along with two bogeys for a 5-under-par, second-round score of 65 on Friday at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton, New York.

7 birdies. Not a 5 anywhere on the card.

Collin Morikawa is having himself a day!

Now solo 2nd. pic.twitter.com/xxpGH7E4qj

— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 19, 2026

At the end of Thursday's play, Morikawa was tied for 72nd after completing 17 holes in his shortened round. That put him in danger of not making the cut, which includes the top 60 players and ties after two rounds.

But after Friday's work Morikawa stood at 2-under for the tournament and in fifth place, one stroke out of second place and five strokes behind leader Wyndham Clark, who shot a 1-under 69 on Friday.

Morikawa's round of 65 tied Joaquin Neiman for the lowest second-round score of the day. It didn't do Neiman much good, though, because he had recorded an 8-over-par 78 in the first round, during which he was assessed a two-stroke penalty for throwing his club.

6️⃣5️⃣

Collin Morikawa in the clubhouse with the round of the day thus far. pic.twitter.com/Yo820hfoar

— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 19, 2026

Making the cut is no longer a concern for Morikawa, who will now set his sights on winning his third major of his career and his first U.S. Open.

Michael Kim, the other Cal alumnus in the field, shot a 2-over 72 in the second round and is 3-over for the tournament.