Jon Rahm's 8-Over 78 and Nobody in Golf Is Ready For What Happens Next at Shinnecock

Okay, Seattle, you are NOT gonna believe what went down at the U.S. Open today. We're talking absolute shockwaves from Shinnecock Hills! Jon Rahm, one of the biggest names in golf and our 2021 U.S. Open champion, had a monumental, brutal second round. He dropped an 8-over-par 78, crashed out, and straight up missed the cut! This is exactly the kind of gut-punch that leaves you staring at the screen, asking, "What in the world just happened?!"

The Reigning Champs Took a Tumble

It's one thing for a contender to miss the cut, but when multiple major winners collapse, that's a whole different ballgame. Rahm, who was tied for fifth after Round 1 with a solid 2-under 68, saw that memory evaporate. His Friday included a double bogey and seven bogeys, with his only birdie coming on the par-5 fifth hole. He finished at 6-over 146, two strokes over the cutline. The Spaniard hadn't missed the U.S. Open cut since 2018, also at Shinnecock, and his only other major cut missed since 2019 was the 2024 PGA Championship. This is a rare, rare sight for a champion!

Trade on Every Game with Kalshi

Click Here to sign up to Kalshi — Free $10 when you sign up using our link or use code: ONTAPSEA. The only federally regulated prediction market in the US. Trade on real sports outcomes. Available in all 50 states.

Bryson DeChambeau, the 2020 and 2024 U.S. Open champion, is also heading home early. He finished 5 over after rounds of 70 and 75, missing by just one stroke. DeChambeau started Round 2 with double bogeys on the par-4 Nos. 3 and 4, immediately falling from even par to 4 over. While he grabbed a birdie on the par-5 No. 5, bogeys on Nos. 6, 8, 13, 15, and 17, despite another birdie on the par-5 16th, absolutely torpedoed his chances. This isn't a fluke for Bryson either, he also missed the cut at the Masters in April, the PGA Championship in May, and last year's U.S. Open.

The Youth Movement Arrives as Legends Falter

The carnage didn't stop there. Brooks Koepka, a two-time U.S. Open winner from 2017 and 2018, and a three-time PGA Championship victor, joined the exodus. He followed an opening 73 with a 7-over 77 on Friday, ending at a shocking 10 over. Koepka, playing his back nine first, could only muster a single birdie on the par-3 17th against a whopping eight bogeys. This marks the first time he won't be playing on the weekend at this tournament since his debut in 2012, excluding 2020.

But it's not all doom and gloom! Amidst these epic collapses, we got a glimpse of the future. Miles Russell, a 17-year-old amateur and the youngest player in the field, absolutely made the cut! He's tied for 46th at 3 over after a 1-over 71 on Friday. Starting on the back nine, Russell birdied Nos. 12 and 15, then handled some adventure on the front with bogeys on Nos. 2, 4, and 7. "It's really special to get to play the weekend here," Russell said. "But making it in a major, my first one, it's super special, and I'm looking forward to it." That's the kind of energy we need! Bud Cauley, fresh off his first PGA Tour win, also made the cut at 4-over 144, tied for 60th. Aaron Rai, the 2026 PGA Championship winner, fired a fantastic 3-under 67, climbing to 1 over and tied for 22nd.

So yeah, while some familiar faces are out way too early, this U.S. Open weekend is suddenly wide open for new heroes. With the course showing its teeth and the leaderboard shaken up, who's got the grit to conquer Shinnecock? It's gonna be an absolute must-watch! You ready for it?

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.