Moving Day at Oakmont felt more like a game of survival chess than a charge up the leaderboard. Sam Burns clung onto his lead with a gritty 69, but there’s no breathing room. J.J. Spaun and a resurgent Adam Scott are circling, just one shot back. The course softened a little under grey skies, but Oakmont doesn’t do charity. With just four players under par and Sunday’s forecast offering little relief, the U.S. Open is shaping into a gloriously tense final-day scrap.
🔥 Burns Keeps Cool, Holds Slender Lead
Sam Burns hung tough on a damp Saturday, firing a 69 (−1) to maintain his lead at −4 overall. The 54-hole lead is his heading into Sunday, and he’ll be aiming to turn his first major championship into a career-defining win .
🤝 Close Chase for the Crown
J.J. Spaun and Adam Scott both closed well, posting rounds of 69 and 67 respectively to sit at −3, just a stroke behind Burns. Viktor Hovland’s 70 keeps him in contention at −1, while Carlos Ortiz and Tyrrell Hatton lurk just behind.
🌳 Unheralded Standouts
Adam Scott, at 44, is chasing his second major after a stalwart 67, confident despite lacking recent victories. Meanwhile, Spaun and Ortiz continue to surprise, with Ortiz again acing even‑par clubhouse lead after another 67.
🌧️ Oakmont’s Same Old Song
Oakmont remained truculent. Damp conditions led to occasional slips, but Burns’ steady game, especially his wedge play, kept his lead intact. Only four players remain under par, a testament to the course’s punishing nature.
😬 Big Names Fade
Rory McIlroy tailed off again, shooting 74 (+4) to sit +10 overall, largely dismissing his efforts as “pretty average”. Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm also failed to make meaningful moves, with Scheffler even for the day and Rahm dropping further off contention.
📊 What It All Means
Sam Burns faces a fairytale closing day, but the pressure of a major mustn’t overwhelm him.
Spaun and Scott, both just a shot behind, bring veteran savvy and momentum.
Hovland and Ortiz lurk as potential spoilers in the final group.
Oakmont, ever the slayer, ensures Sunday will demand every ounce of mental and physical nerve.
Buckle up for Sunday: Burns versus the unlikeliest field yet. Could a first-timer take it, or will an old hand steal the spotlight?
