Adam Scott sizzles in US Open third round to go within one shot of the lead

Adam Scott is in perfect position to claim a long-awaited second major trophy, sitting just shot behind the lead heading into the final round at the US Open.

Adam Scott is in perfect position to claim a long-awaited second major trophy after a scintillating third round at the US Open left him in a share of second, one shot behind leader Sam Burns (-4) at Oakmont.

Twelve years after his dramatic win at the Masters, Scott holed three birdies on the back nine to finish three under par for the round and the tournament.

He will join Burns in the final pairing of the day on Monday morning Australian time (4:15am AEST).

The 44-year-old shares second spot with J.J. Spaun, while Viktor Hovland (-1) is in fourth and Mexico’s Carlos Ortiz (E) is in fifth ahead of the fourth round.

Aside from Scott, no other player inside the top 10 of the leader board has ever claimed a major championship, with the former world number one looking to join Greg Norman, Peter Thompson and David Graham as just the fourth Aussie man to win multiple majors.

Scott put on a masterclass for most of the day, and briefly shared the lead with Burns and Spaun after a 15-foot birdie putt on 17.

Scott will play in the final pairing at the US Open. Picture: Warren Little/Getty Images

The Americans both responded with birdies of their own on 17 to take their co-lead back though, as Scott just slid a mammoth birdie putt to the right on 18.

In a drama-filled final three holes, Burns bogeyed 16 and birdied 17, while Spaun bogeyed the last to drop a shot back to a share of second spot with Scott.

If he pulls off a remarkable win tomorrow, Scott will set a new record for the longest time between first and second major wins with 12 years. The current record is 11.

“It would be super fulfilling,” Scott said after his round. “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 bogeyed the first, and birdied the fourth before making his move with back-to-back birdies on 13 and 14, including one of the shots of the day with his approach on the par four 14th.

Sam Burns holds a one-shot lead. Picture: Andy Lyons/Getty Images

After shooting the equal second best round of the day in round two, Jason Day struggled, carding four bogeys and two birdies to sit in equal 21st spot at five over.

The former world number one nearly hit a remarkable hole-in-one on the par three eighth, but couldn’t match his efforts of a day earlier.

Marc Leishman was on fire, hitting a two under par 68 to jump 32 places to a tie for 13th.

“There’s nothing bad about contending in a major,” said Leishman. “It has been a while, but I’ve been playing some really good golf.

“Just happy to make the most of qualifying. Sometimes you can get in and you think it’s a done deal and away you go.

“Really wanted to make the most of getting in and doing that hard work, so hopefully a good round tomorrow will do that.

“Hopefully I can get off to a start like I did today and give (the leaders) something to look at.”

Fellow Aussie Cam Davis had a nightmare round though, shooting a 12 over par 82 and is +19 for the tournament.

Rory McIlroy struggled again, with this year’s Masters winner finishing four over for the round and is 10 over in 49th spot.

US Open final round tee times

9:52pm Cam Davis

12:20am Ryan Fox (NZ)

1:58am Jason Day

3:20am Marc Leishman

4:15am Adam Scott