Scheffler in share of US Open clubhouse lead

BROOKLINE, Mass. :Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, bolstered by a late eagle, grabbed a share of the second-round clubhouse lead at the U.S. Open on Friday while a number of other prominent golfers were in a battle with the cutline.

World number one Scheffler, who began the day four shots back of first-round leader Adam Hadwin, carded a three-under-par 67 to reach three under on the week at The Country Club outside Boston where the afternoon wave could face tougher conditions.

That left Scheffler level with fellow American Nick Hardy (68), while Sam Burns (67) was in the clubhouse one shot back.

South Africa's MJ Daffue, who began the day in a share of second and one shot back of Canada's Hadwin, made the turn with a three-shot cushion but struggled on the back nine en route to 72 that left him two shots back on a crowded leaderboard.

Pre-tournament favourite and four-time major champion Rory McIlroy, by far the most decorated of the players who were one shot adrift after a three-under opening round, was scheduled to tee off at 1:25 p.m. ET (1725 GMT).

The others three players who finished the first round in a share of second place - Englishman Callum Tarren, Swede David Lingmerth and Joel Dahmen - also had afternoon tee times when stiffer crosswinds are expected.

Scheffler was one over on the day when he stepped up to the par-four 13th where he stuffed his approach shot to six feet and then eagled the par-five 14th when, 55 yards away from the hole, he chipped in from the second cut of rough.

He added another birdie at the par-three 16th with a 10-foot putt and followed that with two routine pars.

Hadwin was unable to build off his opening 66, which marked his career-low score in a major championship, and was four over