Merion maintained its teeth early Saturday morning during the completion of the delayed second round, allowing Masters champion Adam Scott a US Open reprieve.

Scott’s seven-over 147 total made the 36 hole cut by a stroke but he’ll need to chase the trophy from eight strokes adrift from the halfway lead of Americans Phil Mickelson and Billy Horschel who are the only men under par at one-under 139.

England’s Justin Rose and Luke Donald plus American Steve Stricker are tied third at even-par 140 while Australian John Senden is part of a tie for sixth just a shot further back at 141.

Mickelson, after a record five runner-up finishes in his national open, is seeking his first US Open but fifth major championship. Horschel, at just 26, is looking for a maiden major after having recently collected his first US PGA title in New Orleans.

Donald, Rose and Stricker are also yet to win a major despite impressive careers. Mat Goggin is the next best Australia just three shots off the lead at two-over 142 in a tie for 10th while Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy will continue their assault from four shots back in a tie for 13th.

Jason Day and 2006 champion Geoff Ogilvy are tied 20th at four-over, certainly not out of contention while Alistair Presnell made the cut on the eight-over number to continue his perfect cut rate in majors.

Aaron Baddeley (+9), Marcus Fraser (+12) and Marc Leishman (+13) all missed the cut and are headed home early.