Justin Rose could see all the pieces coming together in this U.S. Open.

For all those runner-up finishes, with so much heartache chasing the major he covets, Phil Mickelson has never had a better chance to win the U.S. Open.

Phil Mickelson drilled a long birdie on his final hole and Billy Horschel made every green in regulation on Friday to be the only two players below par after a long and trying second day of the U.S. Open.

Seven players are bunched at the top of the second round leaderboard at even par or better at the U.S. Open, most of them household names in men's golf: Mickelson, Donald, Stricker, Rose, Poulter and Pan. Wait, Pan?

Pan Cheng-tsung had a pretty good day on the course. He felt even better about it when he scanned the scores.

Something was clearly wrong with Tiger Woods in the opening round of the U.S. Open and it showed every time he had to deal with the treacherous high grass at Merion.

The affection was genuine. Even better was beating Jack Nicklaus in a playoff. So when Lee Trevino got his hands on the U.S. Open trophy in 1971, the man who never lacked for one-liners gushed, “I love Merion, and I don't even know her last name.”

The most popular equipment at Merion was not a golf club but a squeegee.

Fatigue gave way to relief for Inbee Park upon learning that playing 36 holes in one day wasn't going to be enough to win the LPGA Championship.

Morgan Pressel withstood rain and a muddy course to shoot a 2-under 70 on Saturday and take the lead after two rounds of the LPGA Championship.