A lot at stake for the four golfers on top of the U.S. Open leaderboard

OAKMONT, Pa. — The return of the U.S. Open to Oakmont Country Club always brings focus to two specific statistics. This venue is known for a challenging course design that often feels insurmountable, and the winning score and the number of players finishing under par are metrics proudly highlighted here.

In 2016, ten competitors began the final round below par, but only four maintained those red numbers by the finish. During the 2007 tournament, just two players managed to be under par in any round, and that only happened on the opening day. By the conclusion, a score of 5-over par was sufficient for Ángel Cabrera to claim the trophy.

Oakmont`s capacity to relentlessly test golfers makes separating oneself from the field exceptionally difficult. However, as the sun began to set on Saturday, casting a warm glow over the course, four players managed to do just that. Appropriately, these were the four who had navigated Oakmont`s demanding layout for 54 holes and remained under par.

“As I`ve said many times, this golf course is tough,” commented Sam Burns, who leads after 54 holes at 4-under. “It demands significant patience.”

This U.S. Open leaderboard leading into the final round might not be what typical golf enthusiasts or television networks envisioned. After all, the winners of the last six major championships have all been players currently ranked within the top 10 globally. Yet, the quartet of golfers – Burns, Adam Scott, J.J. Spaun, and Viktor Hovland – poised at the top presents a final round that is intriguing due to its diverse composition.

Consider Sam Burns. The 28-year-old turned professional in 2017 and has accumulated five PGA Tour victories. Despite this success, he has never seriously contended in a major championship across 19 attempts. His best previous major finish was a late run to a top 10 position at last year`s U.S. Open at Pinehurst.

Most observers primarily know Burns for his exceptional putting ability and his close friendship with Scottie Scheffler. He hasn`t previously been in a position where even casual golf followers would form a strong opinion of his major championship prospects. Nevertheless, Burns has found something special this week.

Predictably, Burns` putting has been outstanding; he shares the lead for the fewest putts per round and has made an impressive 12 birdies so far. More remarkably, his iron and wedge play has been unmatched – he tops the field in strokes gained: approach. Now, he stands on the verge of achieving something truly unexpected.

Winning a major would be “incredible,” Burns stated. “Growing up as a kid, you dream of winning major championships, and that`s the driving force behind our dedication to practice and hard work.”

While a victory for Burns would be improbable, the player he partnered with on Saturday might represent an even greater surprise in the golf world. J.J. Spaun is largely considered a journeyman. At 34, he has only one PGA Tour win to his name, secured three years ago at the Valero Texas Open. Earlier this year, he faced Rory McIlroy in a playoff at the Players Championship. In that three-hole decider, Spaun appeared to falter under pressure as McIlroy comfortably won his second title at TPC Sawgrass.

Many might have thought that would be Spaun`s last moment on a major stage. Yet, the Los Angeles native has continued playing the best golf of his career and is currently 3-under par at Oakmont after three rounds, trailing Burns by just one stroke. Only five players on Tour have demonstrated better ball-striking this year than Spaun. This week, his approach play has been solid (ranking 21st), but his putter has been particularly hot, gaining him nearly three strokes on the field.

“I`m not putting too much pressure [on myself],” Spaun remarked, later adding, “This is undoubtedly the best golf I`ve played in my career.”

Unlike Spaun or Burns, this is not the peak of Viktor Hovland`s career – far from it.

Just two years ago, Hovland finished within the top 20 in all four majors, including a tie for second at the PGA Championship. That same year, he set a course record of 61 on Sunday to win the BMW Championship. However, 2024 saw him miss four cuts, change coaches twice, and publicly discuss his persistent efforts to perfect his swing. Hovland shot a 70 on Saturday, leaving him at 1-under par and three shots behind Burns. On paper, he appears to be the most accomplished player among the top four. In reality, the former U.S. Amateur champion, who has been close to winning a major multiple times, often incorporates a degree of complexity into his process.

“I`m quite pleased with how I battled today,” Hovland commented. “A bit frustrated with my driver, though. I just can`t seem to get it right. It`s been a recurring issue all year, which is frankly annoying.”

At times, it seems Hovland is more bothered by the quality of a swing or ball flight than by his score. It`s as if his mind processes the game through visual and physical sensations rather than scores or statistics.

“Of course, we all aspire to win; that`s why we train so diligently,” Hovland said. “But there`s also a deep passion within me to execute the shots. I want to stand on the tee box and hit the shots exactly as I envision them. When the ball doesn`t behave that way, it bothers me.”

“I`m fully aware that I have a chance tomorrow, and if I play a low round, anything is possible. But there are many excellent players around me. Adam Scott played exceptionally well today, barely missing a shot. That compels me to play truly outstanding golf tomorrow.”

While Hovland, Spaun, and Burns are striving to reach the career pinnacle of winning a major for the first time, the player they must overcome has played 96 consecutive majors.

Adam Scott is the sole competitor near the top of the leaderboard who, with a win Sunday, would not define his legacy but rather enhance it. He secured his first PGA Tour victory 22 years ago. Twelve years ago, he claimed his only major title: a memorable playoff win at Augusta National, earning him a coveted green jacket and a place in history.

Sunday could see even more impressive history made: a victory would make the 44-year-old Scott the only player ever to win majors 12 years apart and the second oldest winner of the U.S. Open.

After shooting his second straight round of even-par 70 on Friday, a smiling Scott joked that he was playing “old-man par.” Saturday demanded a better performance, and he delivered with a 3-under 67, securing his spot in the final group and showcasing glimpses of his classic ball-striking prowess.

“I`d be incredibly proud to win this championship this weekend. Ultimately, that`s why I`m here,” Scott stated Friday. “Perhaps not many outside observers have seen signs of my game improving over the past month or six weeks, but I definitely feel more confident than earlier this year.”

Scott`s composed demeanor can sometimes mask his competitive drive, which is easy to overlook given he hasn`t genuinely contended in a major since 2019 and has only one top-10 finish in the last six years. However, listening to him, it`s clear he has never stopped pursuing that elusive second major championship.

“I haven`t really been in this position – or felt like this player – for five or six years,” Scott admitted. “But that`s what I`m constantly working towards. If I were to succeed tomorrow, it would require a phenomenal round of golf and serve as a significant exclamation point on my career.”

As Scott walked up the 18th fairway at Oakmont on Saturday, the crowd`s enthusiastic cheers were notable. He will undoubtedly be the fan favorite on Sunday. Scott, ever composed, seemed unaffected. He completed his media obligations and quietly departed the premises.

Hovland, in contrast, lingered. He went straight to the driving range, hitting balls into the Pittsburgh night with his driver, still focused on finding the swing he visualizes. No one else joined him. Earlier, Spaun mentioned he planned to go back to the hotel for dinner, perhaps room service ordered by his wife, who is there with their two daughters.

This offered another reminder of the distinct personalities and approaches of these four players competing for the coveted U.S. Open title. On Sunday, the grueling test that is a U.S. Open at Oakmont might challenge them further, but for now, all attention is fixed on the top four. As they face the final 18 holes, they are all on the same quest, knowing that regardless of the final winning score or how many players finish under par, only one will ultimately emerge victorious.