No golfer has better withstood the conditions at this year’s U.S. Open at Oakmont than Adam Scott. Because of that, the PGA Tour veteran has put himself in an excellent position to secure his second major and first since the 2013 Masters.
With a win, Scott, 44, would become the second-oldest golfer to win the U.S. Open, behind Hale Irwin, who won the event at 45 in 1990. (h/t PGA.com)
On Saturday, Scott shot a 67 following two rounds at 70 to enter the final round at three-under par. Scott is the only player to avoid a round above par through 54 holes at this year’s U.S. Open.
He enters the tournament’s final day tied for second, with the Australian trailing American Sam Burns (-4), who is seeking his first major title.
Scott was pleased with his round, telling NBC Sports afterward, “I put myself in a nice spot… I’m pretty happy to be one behind.
“I’m not sleeping on the lead,” he added.
Scott credited his stroke off the tee as the reason for his strong three rounds at one of the toughest courses in professional golf.
“I started hitting it better off the tee,” Scott said, adding, “I’m feeling much more confident.”
Per U.S. Open stats, Scott is second in strokes gained off the tee through three rounds (1.87), which measures how he’s fared relative to other golfers.
Scott is tied for 12th in fairways hit (27-of-42) and 11th in greens in regulation (38-of-54), or the number of holes a golfer reaches the green with at least two strokes to par.
During the third round, Scott hit 10-of-14 fairways, his most since the tournament’s start. He also had his best day scrambling, or converting par without hitting a green in regulation.
Scott reached 11 greens in regulation (61 percent), his fewest in the first three rounds. However, he didn’t post a single bogey after the first hole, rather posting three clutch sand saves, the most by any golfer in the third round.
On the par-four, 396-yard No. 14, Scott’s strong approach shot gave him an easy birdie putt, one of three on the back nine.
He ended the third round with an excellent drive on No. 18, giving him a strong final note entering championship Sunday.
At a course like Oakmont, consistency is key. And through three rounds, Scott has been as consistent as they come. By the time he wraps up hole No. 72 on Sunday, he could find himself alone atop the leaderboard.
