OAKMONT, Pa. – Whenever the U.S. Open returns to Oakmont Country Club, attention often focuses on two statistics: the winning score and how many players finish under par. This is a course known for being exceptionally challenging, pushing beyond difficult towards the impossible, and these numbers are celebrated as a measure of its toughness.
In 2016, ten golfers were under par heading into the final round, but only four remained under par at the end. The 2007 tournament saw just two players finish a round under par, both in the first round. Ultimately, Ángel Cabrera won with a score of 5-over par.
Oakmont`s difficulty makes it hard for players to pull away from the field. However, on Saturday evening, as the sun set, four golfers managed to do just that. These were the four players who had successfully navigated the challenging course for 54 holes and were currently under par.
Sam Burns, leading at 4-under par after 54 holes, commented on the course`s difficulty, saying, “I`ve said it many times, this golf course is difficult. It requires significant patience.”
This leaderboard might not be what golf fans or television networks anticipated, especially since the last six major winners were all top-10 ranked players. However, the group at the top heading into Sunday – Sam Burns, Adam Scott, J.J. Spaun, and Viktor Hovland – offers a diverse and intriguing final round matchup.
Consider Burns. The 28-year-old turned professional in 2017 and has five PGA Tour victories. Despite 19 attempts, he hasn`t contended for a major title before. His previous best major performance was a late surge for a top-10 finish at the U.S. Open last year.
Burns is primarily known for his excellent putting and his friendship with Scottie Scheffler. Before this week, he hadn`t been in contention for a major, a position where he`d be widely discussed by casual golf fans. Yet, he has clearly found his form this week.
As expected, Burns` putting has been outstanding; he`s among the leaders in fewest putts per round and has made 12 birdies. More surprisingly, his iron and wedge play has been exceptional, leading the field in strokes gained: approach. This puts him on the verge of a potentially stunning victory.
When asked about winning a major, Burns said it “would be incredible,” adding, “Growing up, you dream of winning major championships, and that`s why we practice and work so diligently.”
While a Burns win might seem unlikely, J.J. Spaun, who played with him on Saturday, could be an even bigger surprise winner. Spaun, a 34-year-old veteran, has just one PGA Tour victory, which came three years ago. He recently competed in a playoff against Rory McIlroy but seemed to falter under pressure, allowing McIlroy to win.
Some might have thought that playoff appearance was Spaun`s last moment in the spotlight. However, the LA native is playing the best golf of his career and is currently 3-under par, just one shot behind Burns. Only five other players on Tour have better ball-striking statistics this year. This week at Oakmont, his approach shots have been solid (21st in the field), but his putting has been exceptional, gaining him almost three strokes on the field.
Spaun stated he isn`t feeling “too much pressure,” adding later, “This is definitely the best I`ve played in my career.”
In contrast to Spaun or Burns, Viktor Hovland`s current performance isn`t the peak of his career; far from it.
Two years ago, Hovland achieved a top-20 finish in every major, including tying for second at the PGA Championship. That year also saw him win the BMW Championship with a record-breaking final round of 61. However, in 2024, he missed four cuts, switched coaches twice, and openly discussed his ongoing search for the perfect swing. Despite these struggles, Hovland`s Saturday round of 70 put him at 1-under par, three shots behind the leader. Statistically, he`s the most accomplished player in the leading group. Yet, the former U.S. Amateur champion, who has often been close to winning a major, seems to embrace a somewhat chaotic approach.
Hovland expressed satisfaction with how he “battled out there,” but frustration with his driver, saying he “just can`t seem to figure it out. It`s been a persistent problem all year, and it`s quite annoying.”
At times, Hovland appears more concerned with the mechanics of his swing or the trajectory of his ball than with his score. It`s as if he processes the game through mental images and sensations rather than numbers and statistics.
Hovland explained, “Certainly, we all want to win, that`s why we practice so hard. But there`s also a deep passion in me to execute the shots. I want to stand on the tee and hit the shots I visualize. When the ball doesn`t behave that way, it bothers me.”
“I know I have a chance tomorrow, and if I play a low round, anything is possible,” Hovland commented. “But there are many good players near the top. Adam Scott played a brilliant round today, barely missing a shot. That means I`ll need to play some truly excellent golf tomorrow.”
While Hovland, Spaun, and Burns are aiming for their first major championship victory, the fourth contender they must overcome is Adam Scott, who has played in 96 consecutive majors.
Adam Scott is unique among the leaders in that a win on Sunday wouldn`t define his legacy but rather enhance it. He won his first PGA Tour event 22 years ago and claimed his only major title 12 years ago – a dramatic playoff win at Augusta National, earning him a Green Jacket and a place in history.
Sunday could bring even more remarkable history: a victory for the 44-year-old Scott would make him the only player to win majors 12 years apart and the second oldest U.S. Open champion ever.
After his second straight round of even-par 70 on Friday, a smiling Scott joked that he was playing “old-man par.” Saturday required a better score, and he delivered, shooting 3-under 67. This round, which featured flashes of his classic ball-striking, placed him in the final group for Sunday.
Scott said Friday that he “would be quite proud to win this tournament this weekend. That`s truly my goal here.” He added, “Over the past month or six weeks, perhaps I`m the only one who has seen signs of my game improving. But I certainly feel more confident than earlier this year.”
Scott`s calm demeanor can sometimes hide his intense competitiveness, which is easily overlooked given his lack of major contention since 2019 and only one top-10 finish in the last six years. However, listening to him, it`s clear he has never stopped pursuing that coveted second major victory.
“I haven`t truly been in this position, or felt like this caliber of player, for five or six years,” Scott commented. “But that`s what I constantly strive for. If I were to win tomorrow, it would require an exceptional round and be a significant highlight on my career.”
As Scott walked the 18th fairway on Saturday, the crowd`s cheering showed significant enthusiasm. He will likely be the fan favorite on Sunday. Scott, maintaining his usual composure, seemed unaffected by the attention. After brief media interviews, he quietly departed.
Meanwhile, Hovland stayed at the course. He went straight to the driving range, hitting balls into the evening, still seeking the ideal swing he envisioned. He was alone. Earlier, Spaun mentioned he would return to the hotel for dinner with his wife and two daughters, perhaps ordering room service.
This highlighted the significant differences among the four players competing for the prestigious U.S. Open title. While Oakmont`s demanding nature might reveal other contenders on Sunday, the focus is currently on the top four. As they play the final 18 holes, they share the same goal, understanding that regardless of the final score or the number of players under par, only one can win.
