by Jeff Skinner
Sunday at the U.S. Open is one of the best days of the year and today is set up to be a real barn burner. The leaderboard is filled with great stories and greater players. Everything from major champions to teenagers are in position to make history today. Here’s a look at the final pairings.
Tiger Woods is four back and will need a great final round and some divine intervention if he expects to get his 15th major today. Casey Wittenberg is paired with Tiger and would do well to steer clear of a pissed off Woods.
Martin Kaymer and Matt Kuchar both shot 69 on Saturday so they are capable of making some noise.
Retief Goosen is in contention for his third U.S. Open title and John Peterson still doesn’t have a tour to play on full time. This finish will at least get him through the first stage of Q-School this year. Or he could win the thing and that would settle everything.
Jason Dufner and Beau Hossler are only four strokes off the lead. Dufner putter has failed him this week as he is averaging 30 putts per round. Anything Hossler does today is a bonus. He has been the story of the championship. But if a miracle happens and he wins this thing it will be the biggest win since France Ouimet topped Harry Vardon in the 1913 U.S. Open.
Kevin Chappell and John Senden both carded 68’s on Saturday and are four off the lead. Another 68 may just be enough to get it done.
Nicholas Colsaerts is three back and Webb Simpson is four back but both are in great position. Colsaerts is driving it extremely long and if the USGA stretches it out today he may have an advantage. Simpson will need at least another 68 to be in the mix.
Blake Adams and Ernie Els are three off the lead and there wouldn’t be a better story if Ernie could find his way to a third U.S. Open victory. Blake Adams is playing extremely well in his first U.S. Open and his putter has been very hot lately.
Fredik Jacobson is only two off the lead and his 68 put him in excellent position to contend. Lee Westwood is three off the lead and has rebounded from a poor opening nine holes to put himself in contention for that major that has eluded him for so long. Few players have the recent record of Westwood in the majors and a win for him would be well deserved.
The final pairing of Graeme McDowell and Jim Furyk will be a familiar one for both as they played together on Thursday and Friday. After Friday’s round G-Mac said to play well here you need to play “Jim Furyk” golf. They both did just that on Saturday as they worked and worked to grind their way to the lead. Both golfers own a U.S. Open trophy and another win would be the confirmation both are seeking to take that next step in their careers. “Multiple Major Winner” goes a long way. Either would be a deserving and well respected champion.
It looks to be another incredible day at the 112th U.S. Open
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