There may be plans for a statue of Matt Fitzpatrick in Brooklyn by Monday morning. Success in both the US Amateur Championship and the US Open at the Country Club, which is now in the reach of Fitzpatrick, would be a great feat.
Fitzpatrick, who suffered a stormy Sunday at the US PGA Championship last month, is hot in the pursuit of glory at his next big start. The Yorkshire man, whose amateur victory came to this famous place in 2013, will start the fourth day in a draw for leadership. At four, Fitzpatrick has Will Zalaris for company. History favors Fitzpatrick.
In his honor, Fitzpatrick speaks confidently of the impact of nine years ago. “I certainly think that gives me an advantage over the others, yes,” he said. “I sincerely believe in that. This is a real, obviously, positive moment in my career. You kind of set me on fire.
“Coming back here and playing so well again gives me growing confidence every round.”
Jon Rahm had reached the 18th of five below par. Problems with the bunker and double waves followed. One above 71 in the defensive championship means he is shy of the leading duo.
Zalatoris was even closer than Fitzpatrick to a PGA victory in the United States after losing in the Southern Hills playoffs to Justin Thomas. 67 for Zalatoris was the presentation on the third day. Curiously, the 25-year-old has five finals in the top 10 in seven major starts, but has yet to win a major tour event.
“The US PGA has given me a lot of faith and confidence that I belong in this situation,” Zalatoris said. “There is a difference between thinking and then being in the situation and believing in it. So I think that’s probably the biggest change. This American PGA really made me feel like I could be one of the world class players.
Jon Rahm comes on the 18th, hitting the edge of the bunker when he plays, resulting in a double stopper. Photo: Julio Cortes / AP
Rory McIlroy’s 73 left him with three of the lead and therefore still in much contact. The wild character of the US Open was highlighted by Scottie Scheffler, who headed for the Eagle on the 8th, giving him a two-shot lead at six fewer. Until the 15th world number 1 was minus one. Scheffler closed two less after 71. Adam Hadwin and Keegan Bradley have the same result.
The frustrations surrounding the typically brutal setting of the US Open were embodied in Thomas’ behavior. The ball of the US PGA champion stopped inches from a drain in the middle of the 4th fairway. Thomas would receive free relief if the drainage interfered with his posture or swing line; the referee determined that none of them had been implemented.
Thomas expressed his irritation quite clearly, while blaming how many of his fellow professionals would behave if they were cast in the same film.
“It pisses me off,” Thomas told his Caddy Jim Bones McKay. “So many other people would lie that they could hit it, but it’s just like, ‘I’m not going to hit him.’ This is fucking nonsense, man. ”Thomas discarded his bat as a good measure.
After signing for 72 as he left it at plus three, Thomas clarified the situation. “For me it was about drainage and very clearly my position and my ball sat differently than it would have been if this channel was not there,” he said. “I called an official to comment on the matter, and in the spirit of the game, I would not go out. I had the feeling that I could very easily tell her that I would do it and get a free drop, but I didn’t.
“It’s unfortunate because the ride was great and I had a wedge in my hands. I could only hit the ball 100 yards. I want to say that it is very clear that my posture and the place where my ball was, were changed and sat badly because of this drainage, but I did not get a drop of it. It’s just like that. You have to be able to hit the drain to get a drop. “
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In a statement, the United States Golf Association said: “During the discussion, Justin was asked if drainage would prevent his swing, to which he replied that it was not. As there was no sewer intervention, Justin was not relieved. Rule 16.1a (1) states that interference from a fixed obstacle exists when the ball touches or is in or on the obstacle, or the obstacle physically interferes with the player’s area of the intended stance or the area of the planned swing. The rule goes on to say that if the obstacle is close enough to distract the player, but does not interfere in any other way, there is no relief under the rule.
Thomas will not feel that he is completely without hope of claiming consistent majors. Justin Rose’s race seemed almost unsuccessful after 74 brought him back to plus five. Brooks Koepka’s 75 means he matched Rose’s total of 54 holes.
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