Matt Fitzpatrick won the 2013 U.S. Amateur Title at Brookline
Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick takes the lead in the final round of the U.S. Open as he pursues his first major title at the Brookline Country Club.
Fitzpatrick shot a two under 68 to go under four, as did American Will Zalatoris, who signed a 67.
Defending champion Jon Rahm is one shot behind after making a double bogey on the 18th, with world number one Scottie Scheffler two down after a wild 71.
Rory McIlroy struggled to a 73 to sit just three shots from behind and one under.
Saturday is called “Movement Day” for seniors, but most of the movement went in the wrong direction, as Brookline, USGA, and Mother Nature combined to offer a brutal proof that even best in the world struggled to cope.
Only seven players finished the round below par in a day of both temperament and talent with inevitable bogeys. It was too much for the leader of the night, Collin Morikawa. The reigning Open champions signed for a ruinous seven-77 round to stay out of the two-way competition.
Zalatoris and Fitzpatrick came close to the PGA United States Championship last month, with Fitzpatrick also playing in the final group in the Southern Hills, while Zalatoris lost in a playoff to Justin Thomas.
Both now have another chance to win their first major, but behind them are the defending champion, the Master champion and a four-time major winner desperate for more.
Fitzpatrick goes for the Brookline double
Born in Sheffield, Fitzpatrick won the U.S. Amateur title in 2013 in Brookline and will be waiting for the perfect storm to reach a family course, with his game in good shape and his back to approaching the last major can tip the scales in its course. please.
The 27-year-old no doubt handled the course better than most on Saturday, with only a closing bogey on the 18th preventing him from taking the lead alone.
Zalatoris with the hope that it will be the third time with luck
World No. 14 Zalatoris has yet to win the PGA Tour, but in his short career, the 25-year-old has been runner-up in two majors, including losing the U.S. Championship playoff last month.
What was more impressive than the four birds in his letter was the fact that Zalatoris only made one bogey while avoiding the mistakes that ruined the rounds of so many others.
Playing slightly ahead of the hesitant leaders, Zalatoris was in the lead when he landed on tee 18 and duly cut a mile right on the street, but rescued a pair as he climbed up and down a bunker to show off. mental hardness. which defined his round.
“That 67 feels like a 61 or 62 in my book,” Zalatoris told Sky Sports. “This is one of the strongest golf courses I’ve ever played.”