US Open: 14 big names who missed the cut

Oakmont has lived up to its fearsome reputation and, as a result, several big names have missed the cut at the US Open.

The 125th edition promised to be a messy one as the USGA showpiece returned to one of the game’s most demanding layouts.

Across Thursday and Friday, it proved a test too far for many, including multiple past major champions. You only have to look as far as Bryson DeChambeau or Shane Lowry to see that.

So, now that the cut line has fallen, here a guide to the early casualties.

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14 big names who missed the cut at the US Open

Ludvig Aberg +8

The Swede got off to a nice start on Thursday, opening with a 72. But a disastrous back-nine saw him on his way to a second round 76 and a fourth major MC in seven starts.

Patrick Cantlay +8

An eight-time PGA Tour winner, but it doesn’t look like Cantlay will strike in one of the game’s marquee events anytime soon. He missed it by one after making bogey on his final hole. Ouch.

Wyndham Clark +8

Same goes for the 2023 US Open champ. A bogey on 18 sealed his fate as the cutline fell at +8. The billboards are safe this weekend as Clark won’t progress past the second round.

Cameron Smith +8

Incredibly, since winning The Open at the championship’s spiritual home in 2022, Smith has been a complete non-factor in majors. He shot 75-73 to miss the cut for a fourth consecutive appearance in the ‘big four’.

Phil Mickelson +8

Sadly, Mickelson’s last action in the third men’s major of the year appears to be a missed cut. His exemption is officially up and he admitted before the tournament it’s likely his last appearance. No career grand slam for ‘Lefty’.

Min Woo Lee +9

Lee has promised so much in the early stages of his career but is another who is yet to deliver in majors. Despite getting off the mark on the PGA Tour in March, he was sent packing after the second round.

Tommy Fleetwood +9

The wait for a maiden PGA Tour – and major – win rolls on for Fleetwood. He looked poised to play the weekend at Oakmont before playing his final ten holes in six-over-par.

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Dustin Johnson +10

The last man to win the US Open at Oakmont won’t play any further part in this year’s contest. Johnson was quietly confident of a return to form, but he has now missed the cut in four of his last five major starts.

Joaquin Niemann +10

Not the Chilean’s finest hour after securing a record-breaking sixth LIV Golf win in Virginia last week. Niemann was never a threat at Oakmont as he carded a pair of 75s.

Bryson DeChambeau +10

Arguably the biggest scalp of the cut at the 2025 US Open. DeChambeau, a two-time winner of the event and the defending champ, bowed out early after a Friday 77. Nine bogeys or worse on day two was most unlike him.

Sepp Straka +11

The Austrian looked to be a dark horse heading into Oakmont, having won twice already in 2025. But Straka is yet to bring that game to the majors and has now missed the cut in four of his last six.

Justin Thomas +12

A Thursday 76 put JT behind the 8-ball early and things went from bad to worse on Friday. The American’s struggles came to a head on the par-5 12th, where he four-putted for a double bogey.

Justin Rose +14

The Englishman was another casualty in one of the featured groups that included Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy. He’s now either missed the cut or finished second in his last five major starts.

Shane Lowry +17

The 2019 Open champ got off to a horrible start in Pennsylvania, signing for an opening 79 on Thursday. Lowry struggled so much on Friday that he was even assessed a one-stroke penalty in bizarre circumstances.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Tryst Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.