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By Newspot Nigeria Sports Desk
Oakmont, Pa. – As the 125th U.S. Open at Oakmont Country Club heads into its final act, the leaderboard is brimming with drama, diversity, and potential history. At the top sits Sam Burns, holding a slender one-shot lead at 4-under-par (206) after three rounds. But with major champions, hungry challengers, and a course known for its treachery, Sunday’s finish promises to be unforgettable.
Burns followed his stunning second-round 65—the third-lowest in Oakmont U.S. Open history—with a composed 69 on Saturday. He’s now 18 holes away from claiming his first major championship.
“As a kid growing up, you dream about winning major championships, and that’s why we practice so hard and work so hard,” said Burns. “I’m definitely really excited for tomorrow.”
🔝 Leaderboard After Round 3:
- Sam Burns –4 (69)
T2. Adam Scott –3 (67)
T2. J.J. Spaun –3 (69) - Viktor Hovland –1 (70)
- Carlos Ortiz E (67)
T6. Tyrrell Hatton +1 (68)
T6. Thriston Lawrence +1 (70) - Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen +2 (70)
🧠 Experience vs. Momentum:
Adam Scott, the 2013 Masters champion, is chasing history of his own. The 44-year-old would become the second-oldest U.S. Open winner—only Hale Irwin was older when he won in 1990. Scott’s 67 on Saturday, highlighted by birdies on 13, 14, and 17, has him right in the hunt.
“I just tried not to force anything,” Scott said. “I played safe shots and accepted I wasn’t going to finish next to the hole when it wasn’t dialed in… A lot can happen in 18 holes out here. But I like what I’ve done so far.”
Scott’s resurgence is noteworthy: he ranks 126th in driving accuracy this season, 134th in greens in regulation, and 103rd in putting—yet at Oakmont, he’s among the tournament leaders in strokes gained off the tee and putting. A win would also set the record for longest span between major victories—12 years.
⚔️ Chasing Pack: Dangerous and Determined
J.J. Spaun, who led after Round 1 and has quietly carved out four top-10 finishes this year, is tied with Scott at –3. His putter has been his greatest weapon—no one has made more key saves from 7 feet or longer this week.
“Everybody’s making bogeys out here. So I’m just letting the course come to me,” Spaun said, summarizing his pragmatic approach.
Just behind is Viktor Hovland at –1, who could become one of the rare few to win both a U.S. Amateur (2018, Pebble Beach) and a U.S. Open.
“I’ve matured a lot more,” Hovland said. “I know kind of what it takes to win a major championship… Just need to get that driver sorted, and I’ve got the game to do it.”
Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz is another surprise in the mix at even par, after posting a bogey-free round until the very last hole on Saturday. A LIV Golf competitor and qualifier, he’s aiming to become the first Monday qualifier to win a U.S. Open since 2009.
🌦️ Weather Shift Softens Oakmont’s Edge
Heavy overnight rain on Friday brought some relief, softening Oakmont’s infamous greens and allowing the best players to pounce. The third-round scoring average of 72.67 was nearly two strokes better than the previous rounds.
Still, Oakmont reminded everyone of its teeth—Hole 15 yielded zero birdies, and Nos. 1 and 18 gave up only one apiece.
Every player in the top 10 shot par or better in Round 3. Twelve players posted sub-par rounds—nearly matching the combined total from Thursday and Friday.
🌍 A Truly Global Field
Among the 67 players who made the 7-over-par cut, 32 are American, with 20 nations represented in total. Notables from outside the U.S. include:
- Tyrrell Hatton (England) – T6
- Thriston Lawrence (South Africa) – T6
- Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen (Denmark) – 8th
- Carlos Ortiz (Mexico) – 5th
Even the field’s backstory is rich. Oakmont head pro Devin Gee served as marker on Saturday for Philip Barbaree Jr., due to the odd number of players. It was a symbolic nod to tradition—just as Bob Ford did when he played as a host pro in 1983.
⛳ Sunday Final Round Tee Times (PDT):
- 10:53 AM – Carlos Ortiz / Tyrrell Hatton
- 11:04 AM – J.J. Spaun / Viktor Hovland
- 11:15 AM – Sam Burns / Adam Scott
Broadcast:
- USA Network: 6:00 AM – 9:00 AM
- NBC: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Streaming: Peacock
🏁 What to Watch For:
- Will Sam Burns claim his first major under immense pressure?
- Can Adam Scott roll back the years and make history?
- Will Viktor Hovland or J.J. Spaun mount a final-day charge?
- Could Oakmont, as it did in 1973 (Johnny Miller) and 2016 (Dustin Johnson), deliver one more Sunday stunner?
With its firm fairways, wicked greens, and heavy legacy, Oakmont remains the true star. The question is: Who will rise above it?
Stay with Newspot Nigeria for breaking coverage, live reaction, and the full story as the 125th U.S. Open crowns a new champion.
