Scottie Scheffler believes he is "definitely not out of the tournament" despite another frustrating round at the U.S. Open.

The world number one was the pre-tournament favourite, having claimed a dominant win at the PGA Championship before following it up with a Memorial Tournament title defence.

However, Scheffler stumbled to a three-over 73 on Thursday before a mixed round on Friday, where he shot four birdies and five bogeys to card a one-over 71, leaving him four-over at the halfway point.

It is the first time he has started with back-to-back over-par rounds since last year's U.S. Open, where he finished tied-41st.

Only four of the 78 players in the early wave posted under-par scores, with Sam Burns setting the pace with a sensational five-under 65, the best score of the week. He moved onto three-under for the tournament and closed the distance to round one leader J.J. Spaun, who shot a four-under on day one.

Jon Rahm, who impressed in the first round and sat just three off the lead, struggled to maintain that level as he carded a 74, and now sits on five-over.

And Scheffler acknowledged the difficulties that have been seen at Oakmont, but remained confident in his chances.

"I feel like I battled really hard," Scheffler said post-round. "It's challenging out there.

"I was not getting the ball in the correct spots and paying the price for it. Felt like me getting away with a one over today wasn't all that bad - it could have been a lot worse.

"Any time you're not hitting it the way or playing up to my expectations, I think it's frustrating. Mentally, this was as tough as I've battled for the whole day.

Scottie grinding it out on the range with coach Randy Smith after a 71 on Friday. pic.twitter.com/esgJpHkCHq

— U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 13, 2025

"There was a lot of stuff going on out there that was not going in my favour necessarily, and I felt like Teddy [Ted Scott, caddie] and I did a great job of battling, especially coming down the stretch. Overall, definitely not out of the tournament.

"I think with the way I was hitting it; it was easily a day I could have been going home and battled pretty hard to stay in there. I'm not in the position I'd want to be after two days, but by no means am I out of the tournament."

Scheffler currently looks set to make the cut, which is currently projected to be six-over, though some of the big names look in danger of missing out.

Rory McIlroy and Bryson DeChambeau are among the later starters, and in danger after making slow starts to their rounds on Sunday.

The Masters champion was seven-over at the halfway stage of his round, while DeChambeau, last year's U.S. Open winner, was at five-over after completing nine holes, and carded three straight bogeys during that run.

Xander Schauffele fared slightly better, turning in on level par for the day. He finished two-over on Thursday. As for Spaun, he got to the turn at level par, maintaining his lead on four-under at that stage.

Victor Perez also stole a share of the headlines as he had a hole-in-one at the par-three sixth.