Jordan Spieth made an impressive birdie on the challenging 9th hole during his third round at Oakmont, turning at 1 under par. This quieter start is a departure from the usual ups and downs the golfer is known for, as he currently sits at 4 over for the championship. Spieth's second birdie came after a remarkable driving chip shot that found the hole, a significant boost as he aims to finish under par and hopes the leaders falter in the afternoon.
Trevor Cone is experiencing a breakout week at Oakmont, having previously made only three cuts this season. Currently at +4, Cone has surged into the top 10 with three early birdies on his front nine, achieving a score of +1, which places him T6, just four shots off the lead. This week marks a career high for Cone, as he seeks to secure a life-changing finish in a major championship at one of the toughest courses globally.
Recognized for his power, Jon Rahm opened his round with a par and then nearly drove the green on the short par-4 2nd hole. After a solid chip onto the green, he confidently sank a 13-foot putt for birdie, moving into the red numbers early in his third round. With many top players on the course, Rahm's performance could be a key factor in the evolving leaderboard.
Scottie Scheffler, known for his exceptional bounce-back ability, demonstrated this skill right from the start of his third round. After a disappointing bogey on the 1st hole, Scheffler quickly redeemed himself with a birdie on the 2nd, showcasing his prowess with a 14-foot putt. His solid tee shots on the opening holes indicate a strong start as he aims to ascend the leaderboard on Moving Day.
Marc Leishman bounced back from a bogey on the 7th hole with an extraordinary birdie on the par-3 8th, a rare occurrence at Oakmont. After executing a remarkable shot from the left greenside bunker, Leishman splashed the ball into the cup, recovering to 3 under for his round. This impressive shot highlights his skill, as he joins fellow competitor Corey Conners at -3 for the day, both showcasing exceptional play in challenging conditions.
Corey Conners has found his rhythm again during the third round after struggling with his ball-striking on Friday. He capitalized on his first five holes, moving from +6 to +3 on the leaderboard, placing him T12. Conners' return to form, coupled with Leishman's strong performance, indicates that birdies are possible for those who can navigate the difficult conditions at Oakmont.
Xander Schauffele got off to a steady start with five consecutive pars before finally breaking through with a birdie on the par-3 6th hole. This move brought him to +5, currently good for T37, as he seeks to improve his standing with more than half of the field still yet to tee off. His performance reflects a cautious but strategic approach in the challenging conditions at Oakmont.
The weather at Oakmont has created challenging conditions following significant rain overnight. The fairways and rough are soft, and while the greens remain fast, players are adapting to the changes in approach shots. The wet conditions mean that short irons and wedges are landing softer and grabbing more spin, which could lead to both opportunities and challenges for the players. Adjusting to these conditions will be crucial as competitors navigate the course.
As the second round wrapped up early Saturday morning, notable pairings for the third round were announced. Fans will be keenly watching the following tee times:
9:45 a.m. — Hideki Matsuyama, Harris English 10:34 a.m. — Xander Schauffele, Rory McIlroy 12:07 p.m. — Jordan Spieth, Sungjae Im 1:02 p.m. — Scottie Scheffler, Cameron Young 1:18 p.m. — Denny McCarthy, Collin Morikawa 1:29 p.m. — Nick Taylor, Jon Rahm 2:51 p.m. — Brooks Koepka, Si Woo Kim 3:24 p.m. — Viktor Hovland, Adam Scott 3:35 p.m. — Sam Burns, J.J. SpaunThese matchups promise to deliver exciting moments as players compete for position in the championship.
