USGA: US Senior Open LeaderboardTee Times
David Shefter USGA staff
America is celebrating its 250th birthday on Saturday, but the way things transpired at sultry Scioto Country Club on Friday, the fireworks came a little early on another oppressive day in central Ohio, when it would have been quite acceptable for the field in the 46th U.S. Senior Open Championship to wilt in the 90-degree heat.
George McNeill, who never broke 70 in five U.S. Open starts, produced the biggest noise in Friday’s second round, posting a championship-best, 4-under-par 66 to accompany his opening-round 68. He owns a two-shot lead at -6 over defending champion Padraig Harrington 69 67 -4 who was among five competitors to shoot 67.
First-round co-leaders Stewart Cink and Charlie Wi, both of whom posted even-par 70s, are three back at T3 -3, 137 with 2016 co-runner-up Miguel Angel Jimenez (68).
A large group at 2-under 138 includes U.S. Senior Open debutantes Henrik Stenson (67), Ben Crane (70), Tommy Gainey (69) and Ian Poulter (69) along with Alex Cejka (69) and qualifier Chris Devlin (68)
Stephen Ames ( 70,69) is T10 a shot back at -1
The cut came at +4 144 with exactly 60 golfers – 59 professionals and one amateur – getting inside the number. Play was completed just as a storm was approaching the grounds.
McNeill only made 2 of 12 cuts in majors while competing on the PGA Tour, with his best finish a tie for 62nd in the 2012 PGA Championship.
But he does have five top 10s in regular individual PGA Tour Champions events in 2026 and was the runner-up with partner and two-time U.S. Senior Open champion Kenny Perry at the American Family Insurance Championship.
“The course conditions are perfect, which helps. It's getting firm. It's getting fast, which is what the championship wants and needs, weather permitting obviously. We may have some weather coming in tomorrow, but we'll see. Overall, I hit it mostly where I was looking today, so that's good, and made a few putts.
Regarding the heat Henrik Stenson T6 71 67 -2 making a rare competitive golf appearance said ; “I will not step outside the AC (air conditioning) more today other than going to my car and from the car to the hotel. No, I think it's conserving energy. I'm not really going to become any better by spending another hour out in the heat. I'm playing with what I have this week and trying to do my best.”
Due to forecasted late-afternoon weather, Round 3 tee times have been moved up with the first groups going off split tees at 7:26 a.m.
Bryan Angus (edit)
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