Cam Smith – at the 15th today – image courtesy of USGA
A roller coaster closing nine of 36 in today’s third round of the US Open has likely cost Cam Smith a chance of adding the US Open to his Open Championship crown although a birdie at his final hole has kept open faint hope of something special in tomorrow’s final round.
When Smith walked to the 14th tee he stood at 5 under par for the championship and within six of Wyndham Clarke’s 11 under par lead but bogeys at the `14th, 16th and 17th holes had him back at 2 under and any remote chance in tomorrow’s final round appeared gone.
Smith, though, would hole a 25 foot birdie putt at the last and finished the day seven shots from the leaders, Clark and Rickie Fowler who in turn are one shot ahead of Rory McIlroy and although he will need something special himself tomorrow and some help from some of the world’s best ahead of him on the leaderboard, Smith remains alive.
“Yeah, lots of good in there,” said Smith when asked about the topsy turvy nature of the closing nine.
“I don’t think there was lots of bad, either. I think it was just the golf course was tough. The golf course is getting firmer and faster, as I expected, and going to take some really good play to get around even, and managed to hang in there for a while and get under par, and yeah, just a bit of a poor finish, I guess, the last five holes.”
When asked what he thinks needs to happen tomorrow Smith said; “Geez, probably one of the best rounds of my life. It’s going to have to take at least 5- or 6-, probably even 7-under, I think. The golf course is getting tougher, but there’s still lots of wedges out there. The leaders are there for a reason, as well. They’re obviously playing really good golf.”
Min Woo Lee struggled to a round of 74 and is one shot behind Smith and tied for 12th place after two late birdies kept his round respectable.
New Zealand’s Ryan Fox was round in 69 to be tied for 32nd at 1 over a very encouraging effort and he has a good chance to beat his previous best in four starts to date in the event of 41st in 2018.
Rickie Fowler – co leader image USGA
