Marc Leishman says all that he and the three other Australians at the US Open can do is get back to even par and “hope for some carnage” in the final round at The Country Club at Brookline.
Leishman and his countryman Adam Scott were hoping the United States Golf Association, who runs the the US Open, would let the greens dry out on Friday night and set the stage for a chaotic third round.
But the USGA watered the greens and the Australian contingent weren’t taking advantage of calmer Saturday morning conditions as all but Min Woo Lee slid backwards down the leaderboard.
Lee was one of only a handful of players who were under par on day three, having posted an impressive 69 to move to two over par. Lee was the top Australian at two-over-par, eight shots back of leader Scottie Scheffler who was six under par through 10 holes on Saturday.
Leishman bogeyed three of his last six holes, including a short par putt that lipped-out on the 18th to fall to four over. He was tied with Scott, who had earlier signed for a 72. Todd Sinnott rounded out the Australian contingent who made the cut and he was travelling well with a one-under front nine on Saturday before a nightmare-five over back nine, including a double-bogey 6 at the last, sank him to six over.
Min Woo Lee hits a shot during the third round at the US Open.
“Yeah it was really tough, if you short sided yourself it was brutal,” Leishman told New Zealand Golf Digest after his round. “It’s very difficult putting in the wind because some putts get affected and some don’t.”
With all four Australians over par, Leishman said a hot final round – and a scoreboard miracle – would be needed on Sunday. Lee may end up as the only Australian with a hope of reeling in the leaders.
“The course itself is perfect; if you play perfect golf there’s a good score out there,” Leishman said.
“I don’t think you can get aggressive tomorrow, but I’ll try get my approaches a little closer to the hole than the past three days and I’ll try make a few more putts.
“If I can shot, three, four or even five under and get back to even par or one under, and hope there’s some carnage on Sunday, you never know what could happen,” Leishman said.
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