Golf: Burns takes one-shot lead heading into US Open final round

IANS June 15, 2025 316 views

American golfer Sam Burns is on the cusp of a career-defining moment at the US Open, holding a slender one-stroke lead heading into Sunday's final round at Oakmont Country Club. With a three-round total of 4-under 206, Burns is chasing his first major championship against a competitive field including veteran Adam Scott and rising stars like J.J. Spaun. The tournament has seen dramatic performances, with Burns matching his impressive second-round form and maintaining composure on one of golf's most challenging courses. The stage is set for an electrifying finale where Burns will aim to transform his childhood dreams into professional reality.

"As a kid growing up, you dream about winning major championships" - Sam Burns
Oakmont (USA), June 15: American golfer Sam Burns, who is seeking his first major championship title, took a one-stroke lead into the US Open final round after a terrific finish to the third round at Oakmont Country Club. He carded three birdies and two bogeys as he maintained his overnight lead and moved to four under par.

Key Points

1

Burns maintains slim one-shot lead entering dramatic US Open finale

2

Adam Scott chases history as potential oldest major winner

3

J.J. Spaun and Viktor Hovland lurk close behind Burns

Burns backed up his second-round, 5-under-par 65 - the third-lowest in Oakmont U.S. Open history - with a 69 on Saturday for a three-round total of 4-under 206.

"It would be incredible. I think as a kid growing up, you dream about winning major championships and that's why we practice so hard and work so hard. All these guys in this field I think would agree that to have the opportunity to win a major is special. I'm definitely really excited for tomorrow," Burns was quoted by US Open.

Burns will tee off in the final pairing at 11:45 p.m IST (2:15 p.m. ET) alongside 44-year-old Australian Adam Scott, who trailed by one in his quest to become the second-oldest major championship winner. Others chasing include J.J Spaun, tied with Scott at 3-under, and Viktor Hovland, who sits three off the pace at 1-under.

J.J. Spaun, a one-time PGA Tour winner who has resurrected his career in 2025 with four top 10s, including a playoff loss at The Players Championship. Thursday's opening-round leader has continued to hang tough, posting a 69 for a 54-hole total of 207. He remains the only player in the field with a bogey-free round (66).

Adam Scott, the only player in the top 10 with a major to his name, the 2013 Masters. The 44-year-old from Australia matched the day's lowest round with a 67, and the 14-time PGA Tour winner is the lone competitor to shoot par or better all three days.

Viktor Hovland of Norway, a seven-time PGA Tour winner, sits just three strokes back after an even-par 70 that included a remarkable up-and-down birdie from nasty rough on the par-4 17th.

Carlos Ortiz of Mexico, a qualifier with one PGA Tour victory and a handful of other worldwide titles that include the 2024 LIV Golf event in Houston, is at even par after nearly producing the second bogey-free round of the championship. Ortiz posted a 67 (even-par 210) that saw him play flawless golf until he missed a 8.5-foot par putt on Oakmont's punishing 492-yard closing hole. He would be the first qualifier since Lucas Glover in 2009 to win the U.S. Open, US Open reports.

Missing from the mix was Scottie Scheffler, the world's No. 1 player who had won three of his last four tournaments coming into the U.S. Open, carded his best round of the week, a level-par 70, but is eight shots off the lead, while Rory McIlroy hit a 74 to fall to 10 over.

Reader Comments

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Rahul K.
What an exciting final round we have in store! Burns has shown great composure under pressure. As an Indian golf fan, I wish we had more players competing at this level. Maybe one day we'll see an Indian in the final pairing at a major! 🇮🇳⛳
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Priya M.
Staying up late to watch this in India! The pressure on Burns will be immense - leading a major for the first time. Adam Scott's experience might give him the edge though. That 44-year-old is still swinging like a champion!
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Arjun S.
Interesting to see Spaun maintaining his form. That bogey-free round shows incredible discipline. Wish our Indian golfers could develop that kind of consistency. The DLF course should host more international tournaments to give our players exposure.
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Neha P.
Surprised to see Scheffler so far back! Golf truly is unpredictable. Makes me appreciate how tough this sport is - even the world no. 1 can struggle. Hope Anirban Lahiri takes inspiration from Ortiz's performance as a qualifier.
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Vikram D.
The US Open timing is brutal for Indian fans - midnight starts! But worth losing sleep over such quality golf. Oakmont looks punishing - makes me wonder how our Indian courses compare in difficulty. Maybe we need tougher layouts to prepare our players better.
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Shreya R.
Hovland's recovery on 17th was pure class! That's the kind of shot-making we rarely see from Indian players. Our golf academies should focus more on short game training - that's where majors are won and lost. #GrowTheGameInIndia

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Tags:
US Open Golf Sam Burns Oakmont Major Championship Adam Scott PGA Tour