Top names missing in final day line-up
Sam Burns is not a name you expect to see leading the 125th US Open (12-15 June), but after a sizzling second round of 5-under par 65, the 28-year old American came from out of the blue to top the scoreboard on 3-under par. Fellow-countryman J.J. Spaun was tucked-in one tiny stroke behind. Not only that but Sam Burns extended his lead at Oakmont Country Club in Pennsylvania, USA on day three with a one-under par 69 to get to 4-under par and so stay one shot ahead of Australia’s Adam Scott and J.J. Spaun.
Burns has played in seven US Opens after finishing tied ninth in the 124th US Open at Pinehurst. On Friday, he opened with a bogey and then made six great birdies, including back-to-back birdies on the 17th and 18th, to score his impressive round of 65. His third round at Oakmont was delightful too. The player from Louisiana made two bogeys and three birdies to maintain his outright lead in the US Open.
Spaun seeking revenge
Thirty-four year old J.J. Spaun from Los Angeles is playing in his second US Open. He opened with a 66 and 72 and yesterday closed with a 69. He has a world ranking of 25 which should see him in good-form for the final day on Sunday.
Australian Adam Scott soared-up the leaderboard in round three after carding a super round of 67. The 44-year old opened with a bogey at the first hole on Saturday and then carded four birdies including back-to-back birdies at the 13th and 14th for a tasty 3-under par.
In 2013, Scott became the first Australian to win the Masters after a sudden-death play-off with Angel Cabrera from Argentina. The 125th US Open is Scott’s 96th consecutive start in a Major. In fact, this is his 24th consecutive US Open.
Norway’s Viktor Hovland opened the US Open with a one-over par 71 and then shot-up the leaderboard on day two with a 2-under par 68. Yesterday the Norwegian had a level par round of 70 to take third spot on his own.
Winner of the Dutch Open in 2022, Frenchman Victor Perez had a thrilling day on Friday. A bogey at the third was followed by a birdie at the 5th and then, surprise, surprise the 32-year old had a wonderful hole-in-one at the 192-yard 6th. Alas, the 647-yard par-5 12th cost him a disappointing 8, but he fought-back with birdies on the 16th and 17th before making a bogey at the 18th. Perez shared sixth spot with Thriston Lawrence (South Africa) after 36 holes. One round later he had slipped to a tie for 11th on 4-over par with Marc Leishman (Australia), and Americans Scottie Scheffler and Chris Gotterup and six others.
Hovland and Burns have made 11 birdies/eagles each in the US Open so far. When Dustin Johnson won the 2016 US Open at Oakmont, he gathered 11 birdies/eagles in the entire championship. Let’s see what the final round brings us on Sunday!
Bye, bye DeChambeau
Remarkably the halfway-cut came at a not-so-inspiring 7-over par. Sixty-seven players made the cut which sadly meant farewell to multi-Major winner from America, Phil Mickelson as well as Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg and ten others who missed the cut by one. Alas, defending champion Bryson DeChambeau also said bye, bye to Oakmont with a total of three too many.
Britain’s Tyrrell Hatton made the cut on 143 for a share of 11th place. Yesterday he carded a 2-under par 68 to climb-up to a share of 6th with Thriston Lawrence.
The final round of a Major is always a tantalising affair – certainly the back nine. Can Sam Burns stay focussed on his game and keep his nerves under control? Well, he did beat World Number One Scottie Scheffler in the Charles Schwab Challenge in 2021 so the American can fight his ground against the big names. Enjoy the final day!
Wendy Hoad
Editor
MAIN PHOTOGRAPH: American Sam Burns is sizzling hot in the 125th US Open. MINIS (l-r): J.J. Spaun, Thriston Lawrence, Tyrrell Hatton and knee-deep in rough at Oakmont CC.