Adam Scott has already entered the US Open history books but is chasing so much more after taming fearsome Oakmont to stand on the brink of an extraordinary second career major.
The talismanic Australian will play in the final group on Sunday (Monday AEST) after finishing a brilliant third round just one shot behind American leader Sam Burns.
Super composed, Scott rebounded from a first-hole bogey with four birdies, including three on the back nine, in a stylish and ‘stress-free’ Saturday three-under-par 67.
The former world No.1 is only the third player ever to start with three US Open rounds of 70 or better at the tournament’s most demanding layout.
Curtis Strange achieved the feat in 1994 before Shane Lowry matched the record eight years ago.
Scott’s 70-70-67 start leaves the 2013 Masters champion just one stroke behind American leader Sam Burns, who carded a one-under 69.
Adam Scott is a shot off the lead and will play in the last group in the last round of the US Open
Super composed, Scott rebounded from a first-hole bogey with four birdies, including three on the back nine, in a stylish and ‘stress-free’ Saturday three-under-par 67
Fellow American JJ Spaun bogeyed the last hole in a round of 70 to join Scott at three under.
For much of the day, Scott hovered at even par before exploding with three birdies in the last six holes on 13, 14 and 17.
At 44, Scott is bidding to become the oldest US Open winner of since Hale Irwin in 1990.
Victory would also place the Queenslander in the history books for the longest wait by a player between their first and second major championship triumphs.
‘It would be super fulfilling,’ Scott said.
‘Everyone out here has got their journey. Putting ourselves in these positions doesn’t just happen by fluke. It’s not easy to do it.
‘I really haven’t been in this kind of position for five or six years, or feeling like I’m that player. But that’s what I’m always working towards. It’s not that easy to figure it all out.
‘But if I were to come away with it tomorrow, it would be a hell of a round of golf and an exclamation point on my career.’
Scott’s 70-70-67 start leaves the 2013 Masters champion just one stroke behind American leader Sam Burns, who carded a one-under 69
Golf’s most likeable elder statesman certainly has experience on his side, with Scott the only major winner sitting inside the top 10 entering the final round.
‘At this point, it’s just all opportunity for me. I feel like there’s all upside,’ he said.
‘I’m lucky. I’ve won a major. I’d love to win the US Open tomorrow. It’s going to take a really great round of golf, something like what I did today, I believe, and fortunately the confidence is up so I should take advantage of it.’
Contesting an incredible 96th consecutive major, Scott three-putted the opening hole in a deflating start.
But the veteran put the hiccup behind him to collect his first birdie of the day at the par-5 fourth hole.
Then he hit the go button down the stretch to be well-poised to break a five-year winless run since taking out the Genesis Invitational in Los Angeles in 2020.
‘I played really solid today,’ Scott said.
‘Conditions were a lot softer, but there’s still plenty of trouble to get in, and I drove it well off the tee. I was in most fairways, I would say.
‘And the couple of times I missed, I managed to escape. So it was a good solid US Open round of golf.’
Norwegian Victor Hovland is outright fourth at one under after also shooting 70.
The quartet are the only players in red numbers.
Playing his first major since 2022, Monday qualifier Marc Leishman rocketed up the leaderboard with a birdie-filled round of 68 to be tied for 11th.
But the revitalised Australian looks a little too far back at four over and eight shots adrift of Burns, as is world No.1 Scottie Scheffler who could only manage an even-par third round after a wretched day on the greens.
Jason Day (72) is one shot further back in equal 21st.
