The Manila Times

Trio shares 54-hole US open lead

LA JOLLA: South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen closed with a stunning 52-foot eagle putt to grab a share of the lead with Canada’s Mackenzie Hughes and American Russell Henley after Saturday’s (Sunday in Manila) dramatic third round of the US Open.

Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open champion, fired a one-under par 70 to stand on five-under 208 after 54 holes at Torrey Pines with Hughes, who fired a 68, and Henley, who saved par from a bunker at 18 to shoot 71.

Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy and defending champion Bryson DeChambeau shared fourth on 210, charging into contention to set the stage for an intense final round.

“There are a lot of great players up there that have a chance of winning this,” Oosthuizen said. “I just need to go out and play as well as I can.

“You’re going to have nerves. You’re going to feel it. It’s just about how you handle it.”

After sinking a 30-foot birdie putt at the par-3 16th, Oosthuizen — who has five major runner-up finishes since his win 11 years ago at St. Andrews — made his incredible closer at the par-5 18th.

“I was talking to it to slow down a little bit,” Oosthuizen said. “It was a good line and good speed.”

On a day of electric shot-making, Hughes sank a 63-foot eagle putt at the

par-5 13th and blasted out of a bunker to five feet to set up a birdie at 18.

Hughes, who missed the cut in his past five PGA events and six of his eight prior major starts, won his only US PGA title in 2016 at Sea Island.

“I know I’m going to be nervous tomorrow,” Hughes said. “I’m going to try and enjoy it a lot and embrace the moment.”

A crowd limited to about 8,000 people by Covid-19 safety measures roared when Hughes knocked in his eagle.

“I loved it,” he said. “The charge when it goes in the hole and the crowd erupts is why we play. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it.”

Journeyman Henley blasted in a 22yard bunker shot for birdie at the par-3 11th and saved par from a bunker at 18 to share the lead.

“Tied for the lead going into the last day of a major, you never know,” Henley said. “I’m excited. You always wonder what it would feel like to be in contention.”

World No. 11 McIlroy, who hasn’t won a major title since the 2014 PGA Championship,

shot 67.

McIlroy birdied three of the first four holes on the back nine, including a spectacular 32-yard chip-in birdie at the 12th.

He salvaged bogey after finding an oceanside canyon off the tee at 15, saved

par from a bunker at 16 at seven feet at 17 and tapped in for a closing birdie.

“It’s one of the best rounds of golf I’ve played in a while,” McIlroy said.

McIlroy snapped an 18-month win drought last month on Mother’s Day and could end his major win drought on his first Father’s Day since the birth of first child Poppy last year.

“I’m just excited for the opportunity to have a chance and be in one of the final groups,” McIlroy said.

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2021-06-21T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-06-21T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://digitaledition.manilatimes.net/article/282097754664843

The Manila Times