Marc Leishman says all 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 fellow Australian Adam Scott had hoped the United States Golf Association, who runs the the US Open, was going to let the greens dry out on Friday night and set the stage for a chaotic third round.
But the USGA watered the greens to offset windy Saturday’s conditions and the Australian contingent did not take advantage of calmer morning conditions. All except 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, six shots back of clubhouse leaders Will Zalatoris (67) and Matt Fitzpatrick (68) at four under. Jon Rahm was third at three under.
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 had made the cut. The US Open qualifier via Japan was was travelling well on day three with a one-under front nine before a nightmare-five over back nine. That included a double-bogey 6 at the last, which sank him to six over.
“Yeah it was really tough, if you short sided yourself it was brutal,” Leishman told Australian 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 sensational final round – and a scoreboard miracle – would be needed in the final round. 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.”
