By Monday morning, there could be plans for a statue of Matt Fitzpatrick in Brookline. The success of both the U.S. Amateur Championship and the U.S. Open at the Country Club, as it is now within reach of Fitzpatrick, would be a feat.
Fitzpatrick, who endured a turbulent Sunday at last month’s PGA United States Championship, is looking for glory in his next major outing. The Yorkshireman, whose amateur victory came at this illustrious venue in 2013, will start the fourth day with a tie for the lead. Four below par, Fitzpatrick has Will Zalatoris as his company. The story favors Fitzpatrick.
To his credit, Fitzpatrick spoke confidently about the impact of nine years ago. “I certainly think it gives me an edge over others, yes,” he said. “I honestly think so. It’s a real, obviously positive moment in my career. It got me started a little bit.
“Going back here and playing so well again only gives me a growing confidence round by round.”
Jon Rahm had reached the 18th tee at five under par. Bunker problems and a double bogey followed. The 71 one above the champion defender means he is a shy duo leader.
Zalatoris was even closer than Fitzpatrick to a U.S. PGA victory after losing in the Southern Hills playoffs to Justin Thomas. A 67 for Zalatoris was the performance of the third day. Interestingly, the 25-year-old has five finals in the top 10 in seven major starts, but has yet to win a major touring event.
“The U.S. PGA gave me a lot of belief and confidence that I belong in this situation,” Zalatoris said. “There’s a difference in thinking about it and then being really in the situation and believing it. So I think it’s probably the biggest change. This U.S. PGA really made me feel like I can be one of the class players. world “.
Jon Rahm arrives as a cut on the 18th, hitting the edge of the bunker as he plays, resulting in a double bogey. Photography: Julio Cortez / AP
Rory McIlroy’s 73 left him in the lead and is still in close contact. The wild nature of the U.S. Open was emphasized by Scottie Scheffler, who got an eagle on the 8th that allowed him a two-shot lead to six below. At the 15th tee, the world number one was minus one. Scheffler closed two below after a 71. Adam Hadwin and Keegan Bradley are on the same scoreboard.
The frustrations associated with a typically fierce US Open setup were reflected in Thomas’ behavior. The ball of the U.S. PGA champion fell just inches from a drain in the middle of the fourth lane. Thomas would have been granted free relief if the drain interfered with his posture or the line of his swing; an arbitrator determined that neither was applicable.
Thomas made his annoyance perfectly clear, while throwing sprinkles on how many of his fellow professionals would have behaved if they had been placed in the same film.
“That’s what bothers me,” Thomas told his caddy, Jim “Bones” Mackay. “A lot of other people would lie about being able to hit that, but it’s like, ‘I’m not going to hit it.’ That sucks, man.” Thomas threw his club for a good measure.
After signing for a 72, as he left three more, Thomas detailed the situation. “For me it was around a drain and very clearly my position and my ball were sitting differently than it would be if that drain wasn’t there,” he said. “I called an officer to get a decision on this, and in the spirit of the game, I wasn’t going to touch the drain. I was.
“It’s a pity because he was a great ball and had a wedge in his hands. I could only hit the ball 100 yards away. I mean, it’s very clear that my position and where my ball was was altered and badly seated due to this drain, but I didn’t get a single drop. That’s how it is. You have to be able to go down the drain to get a drop. “
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In a statement, the U.S. Golf Association said, “During the discussion, Justin was asked if the drain would interfere with his swing, to which he replied no. Because there was no interference. Justin received no relief.Rule 16.1a (1) states that interference from an immovable obstruction exists when the ball touches or is in or on the obstruction, or the obstruction physically interferes with the area of obstruction. “The player’s intended position or swing area. The rule goes on to say that if the obstruction is close enough to distract the player but does not interfere otherwise, there is no relief under the rule.”
Thomas will not feel that he is completely hopeless of claiming consecutive majors. Justin Rose’s career seems practically running after a 74 shuffled him to five more. Brooks Koepka’s 75 means he has equaled Rose’s total of 54 holes.