It took almost three days and missed cuts by Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy, and Justin Rose, but round two of the US Open concluded with Dustin Johnson in the lead on four-under-par.
Branden Grace was three-over when the cut fell at six-over, having proved his worth last year with a share of fourth at Chambers Bay, where he co-led through 16 holes in the final round.
The seven-time European Tour winner broke onto the PGA Tour in April at the RBC Heritage, where he beat Russell Knox and Luke Donald by two strokes.
This week at Oakmont Country Club he has shot 73, 70 to make the weekend seven shots off the pace. The world number 12 is yet to join Louis Oosthuizen (tied-11th/par) and Charl Schwartzel (tied-35th/+4) as a major champion, but has the game for it.
Weather forced suspensions in play until Saturday, when Grace brought it home on the stretch with birdies on the 13th, 15th, and 17th. He was tied for 27th going into the business end of the major.
Veterans Ernie Els and Retief Goosen missed the cut, along with Thomas Aiken and Jaco van Zyl.
