Key occasions
An excellent par scramble by Adam Scott. He chips delicately from the facet of 9 to a few toes, and tidies up. He’s now just one behind, as a result of his taking part in companion Sam Burns sends a crisp chip to kick-in distance, however the injury has already been carried out. Bogey. The ultimate two pairings have performed the entrance 9 in a mixed +14.
-1: Burns (9)
E: Scott (9)
+2: Hatton (10), Ortiz (10), Hovland (9), Spaun (9)
+3: MacIntyre (11)
+4: Rahm (F), Scheffler (13), Younger (11)
Everybody goes backwards. Tyrrell Hatton, hitting three into 10 after taking his penalty drop, sends his strategy from 153 yards to 35 toes. Two putts and that’s a bogey. Within the clubhouse, Jon Rahm considers a glass of malt to go along with the cigar.
Adam Scott hasn’t been as fortunate as I may need recommended. His ball’s on the sodden gallery walkway. He can’t hit it out of that puddle. So he’s obtained to take the closest level of reduction … and that’s within the thick tough to the suitable. He whips his second in the direction of the inexperienced, however into extra thick tough to the suitable of it. Sam Burns in the meantime can get a membership to his ball, and whips again out from the tall grass into the centre of the green. However he will get approach an excessive amount of backspin together with his strategy, which zips into the perimeter and nestles up towards the second minimize. Each gamers with a job on to save lots of their par.
Ach, there are extra darkish clouds forming on the horizon. Extra troublesome climate cells transferring in on the radar. Fingers crossed, regardless that that didn’t work earlier.
… they usually’re not the one gamers going off piste. Tyrrell Hatton finds a penalty space down the suitable of 10 and is compelled to take a drop. Viktor Hovland hacks his approach up 9 and may’t stand up and down from a greenside bunker. He turns in 38, three over for his spherical immediately, +2 total. A grim look on his face. Jon Rahm, within the clubhouse lead at +4, could also be contemplating the lighting of a giant fats cigar.
Sam Burns sends his tee shot right into a native space down the left of 9. That’s correct jungle. He’ll have the choice to hit out of the hazard, however a lot may go flawed in that knee-high nonsense, he’ll absolutely take the penalty. Adam Scott then slices his drive wildly within the different course, however will get an enormous break: he’s so wild he’s on the punters’ pathway.
Adam Scott leaves his lengthy par putt on 8 brief and excessive on the left. Bogey, and with Sam Burns chipping to a few toes from the again and tidying up for his par, there’s now just one participant in pink figures for this week.
-2: Burns (8)
E: Scott (8)
+1: Hatton (9), Hovland (8)
Sam Burns takes driver on the 301-yard eighth. The opening breaks the US Open file for longest par-three by one yard, a mark beforehand set by this very gap in 2007. His ball arrows in the direction of the flag, however nestles within the tough simply behind the inexperienced. A tremendous shot however a tough up and down to return. Adam Scott in the meantime finds deep tough to the suitable of the inexperienced, and may solely whip out to 30 toes.
Tyrrell Hatton begins once more by forking out from a greenside bunker at 9 to 6 toes. He teases within the right-to-left roller that continues to be to scramble his par. He turns in 35, degree par for the event and +1 total.
Max Greyserman doesn’t hold about on the restart. He holes out from a bunker at 13. An enormous cheer from a gallery who’ve been kicking their heels for the most effective a part of two hours. The birdie takes him to +5. Additionally getting going once more rapidly: Scottie Scheffler, who reclaims the shot he carelessly dropped at 11 with birdie at 12. He’s again to +4.
The gamers are heading again to their positions, able to get going once more. Not a drop of rain within the sky, however the course remains to be fairly moist. The greens tremendous, however some puddles on the fairways, so there might be fairly just a few discussions with officers about reduction. Aside from that, we’re good to go. Hit the ball straight, and there shouldn’t be too many issues. Ah have been golf that easy. “There was some fairly heavy rain right here in Scotland yesterday,” begins Simon McMahon, “so hopefully what’s occurring now in Pennsylvania will make Bob ‘Robert’ MacIntyre really feel proper at house and encourage him to play the final eight holes in six below and win by one, thus changing into the primary Scot to win the US Open since Willie ‘William’ MacFarlane 100 years in the past. Hey, goals are free, proper?”
Now we have an official restart time. Play will start once more at 5.40pm native time, 10.40pm in £sd. That may give the gamers about three hours, give or take, to get the job carried out tonight. Offering we don’t go to a play-off – and there hasn’t been a kind of at a US Open since Tiger Woods noticed off Rocco Mediate in 2008 – we would simply get away with this. However let’s see.
-2: Burns (7)
-1: Scott (7)
+1: Hatton (8), Hovland (8)
+2: Ortiz (8), Spaun (8)
+3: MacIntyre (10)
+4: Rahm (F), Grillo (13), Younger (10)
+5: Taylor (11), Scheffler (11), Lawrence (9)
That 45-minute estimate was a bit optimistic. A lot of the standing water at Oakmont has been cleared now, however the USGA are ready for a few close by cells to move by earlier than restarting. That will take one other 30 to 45 minutes, based on Wealthy Beem on Sky Sports activities. If that’s the case, it’ll be nip and tuck as as to if we end tonight. Any play-off – a two-hole combination affair down 17 and 18 – would actually be pushing it.
Sky Sports activities are reporting that play ought to restart in 45 minutes. Fingers: maintain ‘em crossed.
-2: Burns (7)
-1: Scott (7)
+1: Hatton (8), Hovland (8)
+2: Ortiz (8), Spaun (8)
+3: MacIntyre (10)
+4: Rahm (F), Grillo (13), Younger (10)
+5: Taylor (11), Scheffler (11), Lawrence (9)
The gamers aren’t being evacuated from the course. In order that’s one thing. No fear about lightning in the mean time, simply floor water. And it’s solely taken 5 to 10 minutes’ value of rain to flood a few the greens, so hopefully it gained’t take too lengthy for Oakmont’s drainage system to proper that flawed when the clouds move. There’s some vivid sky within the distance, too. However for now we pause. When everybody comes again, the course will play otherwise; the greens will likely be extra receptive, however the tough will likely be much more punitive. God pace, everybody!
Play suspended because of harmful circumstances
The climate’s lastly determined what it needs to do. And what it needs to do is hose down. The 14th and 18th greens have taken on a lot water there are puddles right here and there, with the odd stream meandering its approach throughout them. The hooter goes. We thought we would have a pause in play because of electrical exercise; actually it’s simply good outdated rain that’s despatched everybody scuttling for canopy.
The rain’s battering down once more. Viktor Hovland, maybe discombobulated by climate that may’t make up its thoughts, pulls an terrible par try vast left of the outlet at 8. Bogey, and you must surprise what Jon Rahm is pondering proper now. He’s the clubhouse chief at +4, and whereas he gained’t severely expect all seven gamers above him on the leaderboard to mess this up … they’re at present taking part in to a mixed rating immediately of +13. So … properly … y’know.
-2: Burns (7)
-1: Scott (7)
+1: Hatton (8), Hovland (8)
+2: Ortiz (8), Spaun (8)
+3: MacIntyre (10)
+4: Rahm (F), Grillo (13), Younger (10)
… so having mentioned that, the faucets abruptly activate and the rain begins coming down strongly … Viktor Hovland scuttles below a brolly … then, having mentioned that, the rain abruptly stops once more. Welcome to Pennsylvania. Hovland, who had despatched his tee shot right into a bunker front-right of the monster par-three eighth, splashes out to 10 toes. He’ll have a great likelihood to sace his par.
Just a few spots of rain within the air. Nothing necessitating the meeting of an umbrella. But. However the darkish clouds have turned a bit of lighter, so fingers crossed that the worst of the climate is skirting Oakmont.
-2: Burns (6)
-1: Scott (6)
E: Hovland (7)
+1: Hatton (8)
+2: Ortiz (8), Spaun (7)
+3: MacIntyre (9)
+4: Rahm (F), Younger (9), Neergaard-Petersen (8)
A 3rd good birdie alternative in a row passes Scottie Scheffler by, this time at 11. Then he misses a tiddler coming again. A 3-putt bogey from 11 toes, and it truly is throughout this time for the world primary. He’s +5.
Bob MacIntyre makes birdie on 9 in a really unconventional method. His tee shot sails to this point proper it finally ends up on the tenth fairway. From there, he sends his second from 168 yards to 4 toes. In goes the birdie putt, and that makes up for a shot dropped at 6. He turns in level-par 35, not out of this in any respect. He’s +3.
Adam Scott solely simply finds the entrance of the par-three sixth inexperienced. He then leaves his 37-foot putt eight toes brief. It’s a careless mistake, and his try to save lots of par is weak, dying on the low facet. Bogey. Sam Burns has a take a look at birdie from 15 toes; it shaves the lip, however the tap-in is sufficient for sole possession of the lead.
-2: Burns (6)
-1: Scott (6)
E: Hovland (6)
+1: Hatton (7)
Viktor Hovland is so shut to creating his birdie putt on 6. A left-to-right roller that appears like dropping. He raises a fist so as to punch the air … then as his ball kinks across the left lip and stubbornly stays up, Hovland types it out, unclenching his hand and holding the nape of his neck in disbelief. Only a par … however that’s quite a bit higher than poor JJ Spaun, whose 11-foot par try shaves the identical facet of the cup and that’s a fifth bogey in six holes. In the meantime bogey for the chief Sam Burns again on 5, the results of discovering a fairway bunker from the tee. We’re tied on the high!
(Two birdie lip-outs in a row for Scottie Scheffler, by the best way, at 9 and 10. Which illustrate the slender margins between success and failure in golf, as a result of … properly, look the place he’s now, and the place he might be …)
-2: Scott (5), Burns (5)
E: Hovland (5)
+1: Hatton (6)
+2: Ortiz (6), Spaun (6)
+4: Rahm (F), Scheffler (10), Younger (8), MacIntyre (8), Neergaard-Petersen (7), Lawrence (7)
JJ Spaun simply can’t get going in any respect. His tee shot on the par-three sixth is rarely clearing the bunker on the entrance. It dumps into the sand, and he can solely splash to 11 toes. Having made 4 bogeys within the first 5 holes, it is a large putt arising. In the meantime Viktor Hovland finds the centre of the inexperienced and could have a 30-foot take a look at birdie.
The clouds within the center distance are darkish. We’ll be very lucky if they provide Oakmont Nation Membership the bodyswerve.
JJ Spaun sends his third at 5 to 10 toes, however he can’t make the par saver. That’s a 5-5-5-5 begin for the 34-year-old Californian. He mopes away, dejected. He wants a reset – and he could have some luck coming his approach, courtesy of Mom Nature, as a result of there are some very grumbly darkish clouds heaving into view. In the meantime Viktor Hovland tidies up for his birdie, and he’s in a a lot better temper now, his early injury repaired. And bogey for Carlos Ortiz, who lands his tee shot at 6 onto a downslope in entrance of a bunker, then finds the bunker, and does properly to restrict the injury by getting up and down.
-3: Burns (4)
-2: Scott (4)
E: Hovland (5)
+1: Hatton (6), Spaun (5)
+2: Ortiz (6)
Again on 4, a giant break for Adam Scott. His second finds tough to the suitable of the inexperienced. However there’s a sprinkler head messing together with his stance, so he’s capable of take reduction. And as an alternative of chipping out from thick stuff, he’s now ready to make use of putter from the perimeter. He practically drains the 40-foot eagle putt, which might have been actually pushing it, nevertheless it’s a tap-in for birdie. He’s -2. Par for Sam Burns, who stays one clear at -1.
JJ Spaun and Viktor Hovland do some ship-steadying at 4. Hovland makes a sandy par, forking out to 6 toes, whereas JJ two-putts from 30 toes. Pars. Spaun stays at degree par, Hovland at +1. Then on 5, combined outcomes after off-line tee photographs. Spaun yanks his proper, and may solely gouge out. Hovland finds a fairway bunker, then swishes his second pin excessive to arrange an excellent birdie likelihood.
Hastings wins low beginner
As the one beginner to make the minimize, Justin Hastings was just about assured this honour. However you continue to have to finish the 72 holes. A 76 immediately, and the 21-year-old from the Cayman Islands finishes his week at an especially respectable +15. A good likelihood we’ll be listening to from Hastings once more, as properly. Not solely has he already proved his value because the best-performing beginner at this 12 months’s Masters (although he didn’t make the minimize, so he couldn’t win the Silver Cup), he’s additionally following in a grand custom: latest US Open low amateurs embody Scottie Scheffler, Viktor Hovland, Jon Rahm, Matt Fitzpatrick, Jordan Spieth and Patrick Cantlay. See you once more quickly, Justin.
67 for Jon Rahm
Up on 18, birdie for the 2021 champion Jon Rahm. He’s completed with three of these in a row, and abruptly he’s signing for a 67 – equalling Rory McIlroy’s better of day. He’s inside the highest ten. He’s the early clubhouse chief.
Hovland lays up from the green bunker on 4. However his wedge in is undercooked, and dunks into the bunker guarding the front-left of the inexperienced. With the pin tucked simply behind the lure, he’s short-sided. Hassle ahoy. Spaun in the meantime hacks from the tough right into a fairway bunker, however finds the centre of the inexperienced together with his third. His par seems extra seemingly.
Viktor Hovland and JJ Spaun proceed to wrestle. Hovland drives into the Church Pews to the left of 4, Spaun snags within the thick stuff beside them. Adam Scott is in need of the third inexperienced in two, and may’t get shut together with his chip arising. He drops his second shot of the day. His companion and chief Sam Burns practically makes an uphill 20-footer for birdie, although. And it’s birdie for Tyrrell Hatton on the par-five 4th, although he’s a bit of bit dissatisfied, having creamed his second from 283 yards to eight toes, the pin tucked awkwardly in a nook back-left of the inexperienced. However he doesn’t make the eagle putt. Ah properly, transferring again to +1 will cushion the blow.
-3: Burns (3)
-1: Scott (3)
E: Spaun (3)
+1: Hatton (4), Ortiz (4), Hovland (3)
The nerves are kicking in, and everybody goes backwards. A 3-putt bogey for the chief Sam Burns on 2. A 3-putt bogey for Viktor Hovland on 3, the results of a tentative prod from three toes. His companion JJ Spaun can’t stand up and down from the entrance of three and that’s a bogey-bogey-bogey horror present. And Cameron Younger sends his tee shot vast at 5 and he can’t scramble par this time. And with this all occurring … properly, right here’s the factor. We could have written off Scottie Scheffler too quickly. As a result of he’s responded to that double bogey at 3 with birdies at 4 and 6. He’s +4 once more. He couldn’t, may he? If everybody forward of him maintain making errors, it’s not past the realms.
-3: Burns (2)
-2: Scott (2)
E: Spuan (3)
+1: Ortiz (3), Hovland (3)
+2: Younger (5), Hatton (3)
+3: MacIntyre (5), Neergaard-Petersen (4)
+4: Grillo (8), Greyserman (8), Scheffler (7)
JJ Spaun is enduring a nightmare begin to his major-championship Sunday. Having opened bogey-bogey, due to a combination of poor driving, common placing, and sheer unhealthy luck, he now provides misjudged ironplay to the combo. His second into 3 solely simply finds the entrance of the inexperienced, and topples again off the false entrance. An enormous up and down for par, and to stem the bleeding, arising.
Viktor Hovland’s all the time out of place after that wild drive at 2. Bogey. He’s again to degree par, and there at the moment are simply three gamers below it. In the meantime Cameron Younger’s strategy into 4 goes nearly straight proper. On Sky, Ewen Murray tentatively raises the potential of the S-word, however doesn’t really say it. He does use the phrases “shaft” and “hosel”, although. Younger can’t escape the thick tough together with his first chip, however will get shut sufficient together with his second to salvage par. That save could but be priceless. He’s nonetheless +1.
Robert MacIntyre drops his second shot of the day at 3. So how does he reply? By taking two photographs on the monster par-five 4th to achieve the entrance of the inexperienced, then completely rattling in a tramliner from 58 toes for eagle! That hit the outlet at pace and jumped a bit of earlier than dropping. Had it not, his ball may already be midway to Maryland. He’s again the place he began the day, at +3, and all isn’t but misplaced for Oban’s best!
JJ Spaun practically saves himself on 2 by sending his third over the flag from 50 yards to eight toes. However he doesn’t decide to the putt coming again. It stops one flip brief, and whereas on steadiness that’s an especially unlucky bogey after that flagstick-flavoured fiasco, that wasn’t a great putt. Again-to-back bogeys to open and he’s -1.
Two putts from the perimeter at 1 for Adam Scott. That’s a gap bogey. Sam Burns, who had despatched his first two strokes down the center, shaves the outlet together with his 30-foot birdie effort, however fortunately tidies up for a par that establishes a two-shot lead.
-4: Burns (1)
-2: Spaun (1), Scott (1)
-1: Hovland (1)
+1: Younger (3), Ortiz (2)
An terrible break for poor JJ Spaun on 2. His strategy is arrowed straight on the flag. An enormous bounce earlier than the pin. When it lands previous the outlet, it ought to spin again shut. But it surely doesn’t get the possibility. It clatters into the flagstick, and twangs again down the inexperienced, off the entrance, 50 yards away. When that ball was crusing in the direction of the inexperienced, he’d have been dreaming of bounce-back birdie. Now he’s obtained a battle on to keep away from consecutive bogeys.
Viktor Hovland wants his oft-erratic driver to behave if he’s to win this afternoon. Not an incredible signal on 2, as he takes one hand off the grip on his follow-through whereas carving ostentatiously right into a bunker down the suitable of the green. JJ Spaun in the meantime rediscovers his metronomic tee-box mojo of yesterday by splitting the green. In the meantime an unforced error by Adam Scott from the center of the first fairway. He pulls his strategy into the thick grass, then doesn’t given the chip out sufficient juice. The ball topples again in the direction of the perimeter, and like JJ Spaun earlier than him, from that place he’ll be doing properly to take two putts for his bogey.
JJ Spaun’s first putt from the perimeter isn’t the best. An enormous right-to-left swinger that stops 4 toes brief. However he limits the injury to bogey by making what’s left. In the meantime Viktor Hovland makes a no-fuss par, having traversed one of many hardest opening holes in golf by sauntering down the center.
-4: Burns
-3: Scott
-2: Spaun (1)
-1: Hovland (1)
+1: Younger (3), Ortiz (2)
The ultimate pairing is out on the course. Adam Scott and Sam Burns take turns to separate the green. A assured begin from the leaders. In the meantime up the outlet, hassle for JJ Spaun, who hacks from the tough on the suitable to the tough on the left. He manages to energy his third as much as the inexperienced, however the camber takes his ball in the direction of the perimeter on the left. He’ll have a really tough two putts for bogey.
Again-to-back birdies for Cameron Younger! This one at 3, as he rakes in from 28 toes. He’s as much as -1 in brief order. However a disastrous begin for Thriston Lawrence, who sends his strategy at 2 right into a native space to the left of the inexperienced, and finally ends up with a double-bogey six. Consider a gap bogey, and he’s clattered down the standings to +4, the jig already just about up. In the meantime a gap three-putt bogey for Carlos Ortiz.
-4: Burns
-3: Scott, Spaun
-1: Hovland
+1: Younger (3), Ortiz (1)
+2: Neergaard-Petersen (2), Hatton (1)
+4: Schauffele (13), Perez (6), Grillo (6), Greyserman (5), Taylor (4), Lawrence (2)
Xander Schauffele goes alongside very properly. Birdies at 2, 4 and now 12, and the 31-year-old Californian is starting to rediscover final season’s type simply in time for the defence of his Open Championship title subsequent month. He’s abruptly into the highest ten at +4.
Tyrrell Hatton initially seems to play the first in textbook vogue. Drive down the right-hand facet of the green, strategy into the center of the inexperienced. However he races his 30-foot birdie effort three toes previous, then clumsily shoves his brief par putt vast proper. A gap bogey, and already the lid is starting to softly rattle as he prods away on the inexperienced together with his putter. He’s +2.
Viktor Hovland flayed his opening drive yesterday into the bushes down the suitable. He sends this one down the center. He’s going spherical immediately with JJ Spaun, who hit nearly each fairway from the tee field yesterday. However he missed the 18th to the suitable, en path to a closing bogey, and maybe that’s been nagging at him in a single day, as a result of he misses on the identical facet once more. His ball disappears into the thick stuff. Some work to do already.
Cameron Younger is the primary of the in-range gamers to make a transfer. He splits the 2nd fairway then wedges from 105 yards to seven toes. In goes the putt, and the 28-year-old from New York state strikes to +2. He’s but to win on the PGA Tour. This could be some option to break his duck.
Scottie Scheffler’s race is undoubtedly run. Having pushed into the Church Pews on 3, he’s all the time taking part in catch-up. From the centre of the inexperienced, he offers his lengthy par putt an aggressive roll – it has to go in, he can’t be leaving one other one brief like he did on the earlier inexperienced – and it slips 5 toes previous. He’s unable to make the one coming again, and that’s a double-bogey six. The world primary is +6, and even from the get-go on Thursday, it by no means ever actually appeared like being his week. However he’ll all the time have Quail Hole. And Augusta. Twice. And presumably Portrush subsequent month.
Robert MacIntyre begins the day nearly inside putting distance of the leaders. However at +3 he’s not obtained a lot margin for error. So he may do with out sending a wild Hovland-esque drive in the direction of the bushes down the suitable. It stops simply brief, however he’s nonetheless hacking out of the thick stuff, and the errant tee shot leads inevitably to bogey. He’s now +4 and the look on his face suggests he is aware of any slim hope of a sensational Arnold Palmer fashion comeback is gone. He’s +4.
Appears clearing out the pipes final night time did Rory some good. A weight lifted. He ought to bollock the press pack extra usually.
67 for Rory McIlroy
A spot of luck for Rory on 18. His tee shot results in that aforementioned native space, nevertheless it’s stopped simply in need of the knee-high grass. One other 12 to 18 inches to the left, and he’d have been toast. As it’s, he can get a membership to his ball, and he’s capable of muscle his second into the entrance of the inexperienced. The camber takes the ball off to the suitable, and onto the perimeter, however he’d have taken that consequence again on the tee field, watching his drive sail off to the left. Two to get down, and he ends a tough week on the up with 67. The very best of the morning starters. He’s +7. On to Portrush!
Scottie Scheffler sends a tremendous wedge into 2, utilizing the camber of the inexperienced as a backstop to carry his ball spherical to 14 toes. However he leaves the birdie putt a great foot brief. An important likelihood goes by. Then he sends his tee shot at 3 into the Church Pews down the left, and up towards a kind of holy seats, he’s compelled to take his medication and chip out. His third finds the center of the inexperienced, however he’s miles from the flag. The quick begin he wanted isn’t materialising. A protracted shot is starting to morph right into a pipe dream.
Rory McIlroy three-putts 16. However he responds to the careless bogey by sending an excellent tee shot on the drivable par-four seventeenth to twenty toes, and two putts later that’s a bounce-back birdie. Par up the final will likely be sufficient for the valedictory 67 he spoke of earlier than the spherical … however good luck with that, as a result of he’s simply wheeched his drive at 18 right into a native space down the left. It’ll be over quickly.
Philip Barbaree indicators for a ultimate spherical of 82. At +24, he’s sure to complete all-time low, 66th in a weekend subject of 66. However he’s smiling broadly anyway, as a result of that is the fruits of the largest week of his profession. The 27-year-old from Louisiana made it to Oakmont by way of native and ultimate qualifying. He’d solely performed in a single US Open beforehand, and missed the minimize at Shinnecock Hills in 2018. The truth is till this week, he’d by no means made a minimize on both the PGA or Korn Ferry excursions, taking part in largely nowadays on the PGA Tour Americas. However on Saturday morning – after being left to stew because of Friday night’s climate suspension – he made the par he wanted on the ninth (the second-hardest gap within the second spherical) to squeak contained in the cutline with a spherical of 71. SO that is the results of his life to this point. He’s clearly loved the week, and will get the group onside by placing out with a Pittsburgh Pirates baseball shirt draped over his shoulders. Then he embraces Chloe, his spouse and caddie. Candy scenes, and right here’s to the pair of them making it to a different main quickly.
Scottie Scheffler wants to tug a Johnny Miller if he’s to realistically problem immediately. A quick begin is important; par on the 1st, the self-styled hardest opening gap on the US Open rota, and one which’s averaging 4.34 photographs this week, isn’t the worst option to start the gargantuan job in hand. He stays at +4.
The climate may play a component this afternoon. It’s sunny sufficient now, however there’s a chance of thunderstorms fairly quickly, or presumably in just a few hours, or each. Arduous to forecast something with supreme confidence, on condition that when the heavens opened throughout yesterday’s third spherical, the rain was coming down closely on some holes whereas the solar nonetheless blazed on others. Not untypical Pennsylvania climate, the locals will inform you. Fingers crossed none of this involves move, but when it does, we might be heading in the direction of a Monday end. Let’s cross this bridge if and when it’s vital.
Yesterday night, Rory McIlroy obtained just a few issues off his chest. Having unburdened himself, he minimize a cheerier determine this morning, telling one interviewer {that a} good rating was potential round Oakmont immediately, and he anticipated to see just a few 67s. Effectively, he could be within the strategy of carding a kind of himself. And even higher. He’s on monitor in the mean time, having simply hit a scorching streak after the flip, making birdies at 11, 13 and now 14. If he pars his approach house, he’ll be signing for that 67 earlier than departing the scene quicksmart for some well-earned peace and quiet. He’s ending the week as he began it, taking part in properly. Only a disgrace in regards to the large bit within the center. He’s at present +7.
Preamble
The excellent news for Sam Burns: he’s in tremendous type after final week’s close to miss on the Canadian Open; his 65 on Friday is the most effective spherical of the week, proof optimistic that the five-time PGA Tour winner has the sport to get the job carried out round Oakmont; he’s considered one of solely two gamers (together with Ryan Fox) but to three-putt on treacherous greens as soon as described by a USGA bigwig because the “scariest in golf”.
The unhealthy information for Sam Burns: solely three gamers out of 9 have transformed a 54-hole lead at an Oakmont US Open into victory; one of many largest final-round comebacks in US Open historical past occurred at Oakmont (Johnny Miller successful in 1973 from six again); somebody’s gained from seven behind going into the ultimate spherical of a US Open earlier than, Arnold Palmer in 1960, and if anybody within the subject can go one higher than Arnie, it’s absolutely Scottie Scheffler.
So historical past proves that nothing’s sure. And with the leaderboard packed tight, that includes loads of large names ready to pounce, just about something may occur if the main trio stumble. Most of it unlikely, admittedly, however all of it potential. Right here’s what the highest of the tree appeared like after 54 holes …
-4: Sam Burns
-3: Adam Scott, JJ Spaun
-1: Viktor Hovland
E: Carlos Ortiz
+1: Tyrrell Hatton, Thriston Lawrence
+2: Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen
+3: Robert MacIntyre, Cameron Younger
+4: Marc Leishman, Chris Gotterup, Scottie Scheffler, Nick Taylor, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Max Greyserman, Emiliano Grillo, Russell Henley, Victor Perez, Ben Griffin
… and listed here are the tee-times (all BST). It’s on!
12.52 Cam Davis (Aus)
13.03 Matthieu Pavon (Fra), Jordan Smith (Eng)
13.14 Hideki Matsuyama (Jpn), Harris English (US)
13.25 Ryan McCormick (US), Taylor Pendrith (Can)
13.36 Johnny Keefer (US), Michael Kim (US)
13.47 James Nicholas (US), Brian Harman (US)
13.58 Philip Barbaree Jr (US), Im Sung-jae (Kor)
14.14 Niklas Norgaard (Den), Denny McCarthy (US)
14.25 Daniel Berger (US), Tony Finau (US)
14.36 Rory McIlroy (NI), Andrew Novak (US)
14.47 Adam Schenk (US), Mackenzie Hughes (Can)
14.58 Justin Hastings -a- (Aus), Matt Fitzpatrick (Eng)
15.09 Collin Morikawa (US), Rasmus Hojgaard (Den)
15.20 Ryan Fox (NZ), Corey Conners (Can)
15.36 Patrick Reed (US), Laurie Canter (Eng)
15.47Jon Rahm (Spa), Tom Kim (Kor)
15.58 Maverick McNealy (US), Xander Schauffele (US)
16.09 Kim Si-woo (Kor), Jhonattan Vegas (Col)
16.20 Aaron Rai (Eng), Trevor Cone (US)
16.31 Jordan Spieth (US), JT Poston (US)
16.42 Brooks Koepka (US), Thomas Detry (US)
16.58 Jason Day (US), Chris Kirk (US)
17.09 Keegan Bradley (US), Sam Stevens (US)
17.20 Matt Wallace (Eng), Ryan Gerard (US)
17.31 Ben Griffin (US), Victor Perez (Fra)
17.42 Russell Henley (US), Emiliano Grillo (Arg)
17.53 Max Greyserman (US), Christiaan Bezuidenhout (SA)
18.04 Nick Taylor (Can), Scottie Scheffler (US)
18.20 Chris Gotterup (US), Marc Leishman (Aus)
18.31 Cameron Younger (US), Robert MacIntyre (Sco)
18.42 Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen (Den), Thriston Lawrence (SA)
18.53 Tyrrell Hatton (Eng), Carlos Ortiz (Mex)
19.04 Viktor Hovland (Nor), JJ Spaun (US)
19.15 Adam Scott (Aus), Sam Burns (US)
