US Open Golf 2013 Leaderboard: Dissecting Early Day 3 Results

Golfers have spent the past couple days playing catch-up after a stormy Thursday at Merion Golf Club. Day 3 of the U.S. Open began with players finishing the second round, which is only the start of another marathon day at the season's second major.

Phil Mickelson and Billy Horschel were able to finish Round 2 on Friday. They remain the only two players under par on a course that's played much tougher than expected. It should make for an entertaining weekend battle.

With that in mind, let's check out the updated leaderboard, led by Mickelson and Horschel, before examining some of the early storylines on Day 3 of the U.S. Open.

2013 U.S. Open Leaderboard

Storylines to Watch

Surprising Contenders Finishing Round 2

The top three players in the world––Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Adam Scott––played the first two rounds at a combined 13-over par. That fact makes the terrific play of amateur Cheng Tsung Pan, who currently sits at two-over par, even more shocking.

Pan plays collegiate golf at Washington and was nowhere near the radar when the week began. But a strong game plan of safe shots and impressive accuracy have put him in the mix. Fellow amateur Michael Kim (+3) is also finishing the round and currently sits tied with Woods and McIlroy.

Among the other unexpected contenders who finished or are finishing the second round early on Day 3 are Charley Hoffman (+3), Jerry Kelly (+3) and Marcel Siem (+4). Only time will tell if any of them have weekend staying power.

Golfers Fighting To Make Cut

The projected cut line at the end of yesterday's play was at seven-over par. Early on Saturday it dropped another stroke to eight-over as Merion proved no easier for the returning players. It gave more hope to those on the course fighting to reach the key mark.

Some players, including Scott Stallings and Martin Laird (both +7), have been able to get themselves in position to play the final two rounds. Others weren't as fortunate. Matteo Manassero and Freddie Jacobson (both +9) were unable to stay above the cut line.

Since there are still players on the course, the line could still move back to seven-over par. While it might not seem like a key distinction, it will impact plenty of golfers. And those who do make it just need one great round to get back near the top.

Looking Ahead To Round 3

Mickelson should enter the third round as the favorite as he seeks his first career U.S. Open triumph. He's been striking the ball really well and could have easily started to pull away if his putting was slightly better on Friday.

Don't count either Woods or McIlroy out despite being four strokes off the pace. Both superstars have the ability to get red hot, even on a course as difficult as Merion. It won't take much more than a short birdie streak to fly up the leaderboard.

Then there's the stories of Pan, Kim and the other players nobody expected to contend. If one of them can make a serious run heading into Sunday, it will add even more intrigue to the event. The course won't make it easy on them, though.