It’s a transitional day in North Carolina, and we’re starting with a US Open rookie leading the way.
Ludvig Åberg entered Saturday with a one-shot lead over the field after having a 1-under 69 on Friday at No. 2 Pinehurst in North Carolina. He is playing in his first ever US Open, and is only a few months away from his first major appearance. If he can pull off a win this week, he will be the first rookie in the tournament to do so in more than 100 years.
But Åberg’s advance was short-lived. Mathieu Pavone, who briefly held a share of the lead on Friday before two late bogeys hurt him, quickly overtook Åberg on the front nine on Saturday afternoon. Pavón chipped in three birdies on the front nine, nearly matching the low round of the day before he made the turn, while Oberg held solidly for par.
There are plenty of big names behind both, including Bryson DeChambeau — who took the lead single with his birdie at the 10th, which came after a ridiculous approach in which he carried 278 yards with a 6-iron. He then pushed his lead to two shots with a second straight birdie on No. 11, which came only after he got into the woods to get work done on his hip.
Patrick Cantlay, Rory McIlroy and Tony Finau are still in the mix as well.
Early Saturday, Pinehurst was the big winner. Only a very few golfers made it to the lower level, and the average early score was around 73. Collin Morikawa was the only exception. He scored a bogey-free 66, which brought him back to par. Depending on how the rest of the afternoon goes, there may be a Sunday.
Scottie Scheffler, on the other hand, struggled again. He said golf at the US Open is like a “mental torture chamber.”
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Bryson’s progress continues to grow
Bryson’s progress continues to grow. Rory McIlroy was once again upset in front of him to drop to fourth place. So DeChambeau’s lead is now an incredible four shots as he tries to get up and down for par on the 15th.
Another Bryson bird
Bryson DeChambeau is starting to run away with this thing. He just made another birdie putt after a tough drive, pushing his lead to three.
The fans at Pinehurst love it, too.
Walking with Bryson is a fan favorite right now. USA cheers erupted as he punched the air after that jumper.
Bryson had a great look at the 13th, but barely missed the cup. He settled for an easy draw – but as Rory McIlroy was just ahead of him, Bryson’s lead was back to two.
Ludwig Aberg, on the other hand, was now out of it. He just made a triple on the 13th, his fourth hole-in-the-hole today Five shots behind. harsh.
“Don’t blame me, I’m sorry.”
Bryson couldn’t give the crowd what they wanted, so he fell into the dugout.
Of course, it worked out for him.
Rory cuts the gap
Rory McIlroy is now back at it again after a huge birdie putt on the 14th. We could be looking at the final pairing between Rory and Bryson on Sunday…
Rory’s not leaving
Rory McIlroy is hanging in there. The big par save on 13th keeps him at 5 under this week, which is still two behind DeChambeau.
Bryson pushes his lead to 2
Yes, Bryson DeChambeau is fine.
After finishing work on his hip and completing the longest drive of the day, Bryson had just sunk his second plane in a row. Apply now 2.
Bryson DeChambeau gets the job done
Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau had some work left to do before finishing 11th.
Then he took a longer trip in the day, because of course he did.
Leaderboard updated (again) after Rory’s last bird
It’s getting harder to keep up with this. Rory McIlroy just made a birdie putt on No. 12 to join the group at 5 under. It was his second birdie in the final four holes.
Bryson DeChambeau may be ahead, but we have a lot of golf ahead of us on Saturday. Let’s look at the top of the leaderboard.
Leaderboards
1. Bryson DeChambeau -6 (10)
T2. Matteo Pavone -5 (13)
T2. Tony Finau (11)
T2. Rory McIlroy (12)
T2. Ludwig Aberg (10)
DeChambeau takes command solo
Ludvig Åberg barely missed his eagle putt on the 10th, so he’ll settle for birdie. That gave him a share of the lead at 5 under…which lasted about 30 seconds.
Bryson DeChambeau, who made a ridiculous approach of his own into the greenside bunker, went up and down to take the lead birdie single at 6 under.
6-Iron from 278
Bryson DeChambeau just hit a 6-iron from 257 yards on an already 630-yard par 5. 6-iron from 257. Unfortunately, he only hit it 256, a yard short of clearing the green-side trap.
Ludwig crushes No. 10
Ludvig Åberg may have made the best approach of the day. He just hit his second shot on par from 10 to 9 feet using a 7 wood! crazy.
Their faces say it all.
If he hits that shot, he’ll be back in the lead alone.
Bryson asks for help
As he makes his turn to get a share of the lead, Bryson DeChambeau has called in his physical therapist.
Bones just said on the broadcast that DeChambeau’s right hip is tight. I have torn ligaments in both hips.
DeChambeau seems to be walking and swinging well, and is still ahead, but we’ll see what happens here down the stretch.
Leaderboard reset after Pavon, ghost of Åberg
Matteo Pavone has just upset #11, so we have an intense battle at the top of the leaderboard.
Pavon with his first bogey today at 11.
We now have a four-way tie for the lead at -5; Pavon, Finau, DeChambeau and Aberg. pic.twitter.com/mkOwSDPIUL
Here’s a look at where things stand as the final group heads to No. 2 Pinehurst.
Leaderboard update:
T1. Pavon-5 (11)
T1. Finau (10)
T1. DeChambeau (9)
T4. Auberge-4 (9)
T4. McIlroy (10)
T6. Hatton-3 (12)
T6. Cantlay (9)
Tony Finau is suspended
Somehow, Tony Finau made it to the 10th green by a whisker. His second shot from the rough area behind the green ended up rolling all the way toward him, but then he nearly birdied the second time.
He’s still only five years old, just a shot away from Matteo Pavon.
Finau shot at 9, so, much better than McIlroy
Tony Finau hit a brilliant iron on the par-3 ninth hole, using the slope to get within seven feet of the hole. It was a thing of beauty, something Rory McIlroy couldn’t match. Good luck next time Rory!
Both would drain their shots, McIlroy with the more difficult, pushing him to 4 under and Finau to 5 under, one shot clear of Pavone.
Bryson to within 1
DeChambeau stole a birdie on the seventh to join Aberg at 6 under, just one ahead of Pavon.
Bryson DeChambeau is there signing autographs
While every player in the LIV has turned into a persona non grata since moving to the rival tour, Bryson DeChambeau has managed to become one of the most likable (and now popular) players on either tour. But signing autographs during the tour? These guys don’t even like to bang their fists between holes, let alone stop, grab someone’s pen and sign something, but apparently that’s what DeChambeau once did.
Pavon is in the lead
Mathieu Pavone’s three birdies, including one from downtown on No. 7, put the Frenchman into the lead himself.
At 3 under on his tour so far, Pavon is the odd one out. Par is a good result today at Pinehurst. None fell below Collin Morikawa’s mark of 66 earlier in the day.
Aberg gives one back
Ludvig Aberg’s first slide came on the long fourth. After a good drive, he missed the green well just short of his approach, and was unable to get on and off.
This left him in a three-way tie at the top of the leaderboard until Tony Finau beat him to sixth place. So Aberg and Pavon are at the top.
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