Will Zalatoris and Matt Fitzpatrick are leading the US Open after the 3rd round. Saturday, the wind was invited on the course of the Country Club of Brookline and made the layout, already selective, even more demanding. The day notably saw Collin Morikawa, who was leader the day before, collapse.
The American Zalatoris, 14th in the world, and the Briton Fitzpatrick (18th) are among the few competitors to have remained under par during this third round.
7
Like the number of players who scored under par this Saturday.
« I knew it was going to play hard and I had to stay patient, said Zalatoris. I knew if I made a bogey or two early in the game, not to change the game plan, not to try to be too aggressive because that’s how you cause damage. »
This Saturday, the American offered himself a card of 67 (-3) while Fitzpatrick signed a 68 (-2) due in particular to a bogey on the final hole of the course. But the Englishman has good memories on the course at the Brookline Country Club. It was here that he won the US Amateur in 2013.
« The wind was blowing really hard today and that made things very difficult. You had to be mindful of how you hit the ball, where you were going to miss it. It was a big challenge and I’m really happy with my score. »
Rahm still there
With a total score of -4, the two men are currently one step ahead of Jon Rahm. After two first cards under par, the defending champion settled for a day in 71 (+1). Yet leader after three birdies between 14 and 17, the Spaniard conceded a double bogey on 18.
Behind, in 4th place, there are three men at -2: the Canadian Adam Hadwin, the American Keegan Bradley and Scottie Scheffler.
“The US Open is a very tough tournament, mentally and physically. But that’s also why it makes it so fun. »
The world number one had however started his day perfectly with two birdies and an eagle at 8. Scheffler was even in the lead halfway through. But he too had a more complicated comeback with a double at 11 and three bogeys in a row.
« The US Open is a very tough tournament, mentally and physically. But that’s also why it makes it so fun. You are tested in many different ways. That’s why we play it. After all, if all golf tournaments were like this, the season would be very long for all of us. But a few times a year, it’s very fun. »
McIlroy limits damage, Morikawa explodes
Just behind is Rory McIlroy who never recovered from his three bogeys recorded at the start of the day. The Northern Irishman returned a card of 73 (+3). With a total score of -1, the four-time Major winner is 7th alongside Joel Dahmen, co-leader with Morikawa the night before, and Sam Burns.
Collin Morikawa, therefore, had a nightmarish day. With two doubles, four bogeys for only one birdie. The 7th player in the world signs a card of 77 (+7) and demotes to 17th place in +2 total. A rank that the double Major winner shares in particular with Dustin Johnson and Hideki Matusyama.
