Rory McIlroy’s up-and-down weekend at the US Open took another turn on Saturday, as World No. 2 into the back nine with five bogeys to finish at 3 and out of contention.
McIlroy, whose only tournament win came in 2011 at Congressional Country Club, sank a 66-foot birdie putt on No. 6 as part of a streak of three consecutive birdies, but he went from a one-over shot to an earlier final round at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club.
It was the second day in a row that McIlroy struggled after the turn, after finishing on the back 9 even in the opening round of the US Open.
He shot 3 over on those holes on Saturday, even recording a double bogey on No. 15. Although McIlroy avoided another double during the third round, he bogeyed Nos. 10, 12, 14, 15 and 18.
McIlroy, who will enter the final round tied for 17th place with trails leader Wyndham Clark by 10 strokes, finished 10th at both majors earlier this season, winning the Masters – his second straight victory at the tournament – and finishing tied for seventh at the PGA Championship last month.
One year after finishing in the top five at the US Open, Cam Young won’t be around when Sunday starts. That means the long-awaited pursuit of the number one player of his career may extend to next month’s British Open.
The third-ranked golfer from Westchester again struggled in the third round, finishing 3-under and going 5 over for the tournament. And after winning two tournaments – the Players Championship and the Cadillac Championship earlier this year – Young failed to make a second straight event after falling 8 shots at the Memorial Tournament earlier this month.
“I don’t know, I didn’t play badly, I didn’t play well and I’m not in a good position going in. [Sunday],” Young said following his round.
Young collected birdie and par over his final three holes, and hit his second shot on the 10th hole to within 3 inches of the pin to set up a birdie putt. But mixed in among this brilliance were more holes of disappointment, as he recorded bogeys on four of his first six holes and added strokes on Nos. 6, 11 and 18.
Sahith Theegala put in the best showing of his career after shooting an even-par 70 to stay tied for second – at 1 under – going into Sunday.
“To be honest, I was hoping to get into the tournament,” Theegala said after her round. “Honestly, I’m sad I missed a few races last year due to injury and I started this year in a really bad shape, honestly.
“I didn’t have a lot of expectations, other than to enjoy the week and accept the challenge, and it’s worked out really well so far.”
Emiliano Grillo joined Dustin Johnson – in the opening round – as golfers to make four birdies in a row this week, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. … Dylan Wu and James Nicholas recorded their worst third-round scores since the early stages, finishing in 12 over. … New Jersey native Chris Gotterup shot 3 to stay 7 over entering the final round.
Sam Stevens shot 2 to stay tied for second at 1 under on Sunday, giving the 29-year-old a chance to top the major – while tied for 23rd at last year’s US Open.
“I don’t remember where I was going to start the last round last year at Oakmont,” Stevens said. “Maybe I was in the 15th or 20th place, but at the time that felt like a big thing to me. Now this feels like a big thing, but I feel – I’m happy to play, which is a good place to be.”
