Thrilling Showdown Ahead: Sam Burns Holds Slim Lead Over Adam Scott and J.J. Spaun at the US Open Sunday Finale

Oakmont, Pennsylvania — CNN

It’s an exciting Sunday at the US Open. Sam Burns leads by one stroke, aiming for his first major win. Adam Scott from Australia and J.J. Spaun are right on his heels.

During Saturday’s round, Scott made a strong comeback, finishing 3-under for the tournament with a 67. He’s now in second place, tied with Spaun. Despite his talent, Scott has only one major title to his name.

Burns and Spaun traded the lead several times but it was a bogey on 18 that tied Spaun with Scott. Burns remains the solo leader going into Sunday.

Burns and Scott will play in the final group. If Scott wins, he’ll set a record for the longest gap between his first and second major victories. Scott expressed his excitement, saying, “It would be super fulfilling.” He acknowledged that reaching this point takes hard work, not luck.

Interestingly, in the last ten majors, winners have typically been in the top two after 54 holes. This strengthens Scott’s chance—it’s his best position at a major since 2018, and historically, those behind on the leaderboard have rallied back to win, mirroring past events at Oakmont.

Conditions on the course were tricky. An overnight rain made it soft during play, but the fast greens posed challenges. Players struggled with tough lies in thick rough, as seen with Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele’s rounds, both of whom struggled to maintain consistency.

McIlroy ended the day with five bogeys and a score of 74, placing him well behind the leaders.

As afternoon players took the course, they faced off-and-on rain, but it gave hope for more birdies. By evening, the scene was set for final round drama.

Bursting with competitive spirit, Burns and Spaun have stayed neck-and-neck. Each player is looking for every scoring opportunity. Burns made a fantastic birdie on the 13th, which energized the crowd, while Spaun also showcased impressive skills to maintain his position.

Scott rose to the challenge on the back nine, sinking birdies and closing in on the lead. He remained composed, understanding that today’s conditions required patience and precision.

Both Burns and Spaun faced difficulties on the 18th as they aimed to secure their positions. While Burns navigated a heavy lie well, Spaun found trouble in a bunker, leading to crucial decisions in their approaches.

As they finished the day, both players reflected on the tight competition. Burns mentioned focusing on his individual game while acknowledging the fun of a back-and-forth duel. With Scott surging ahead, the stage is perfectly set for an electrifying finish on Sunday.

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