When darkness set in Saturday night over storied Oakmont, there was nothing short of major inexperience at the top of the U.S. Open leader board.
Here’s what it looks like:
Shane Lowry: 5-under thru 14.
Andy Landry: 3-under thru 13.
Dustin Johnson: 2-under thru 13.
Sergio Garcia: 2-under thru 14.
Lee Westwood: 2-under thru 15.
Braden Grace: In the clubhouse at one-under after a round of 66.
The one common denominator with those leaders: none has ever won a major championship. The closest to them is world No. 1 Jason Day, who like Grace, shot 66. He’s one-over and another solid round on Sunday will make it interesting for the reigning PGA champion.
“I’m quite aware of what’s going on around me,” said Lowry after walking in. He’s won twice on the European Tour and won the WGC Bridgestone last season, his first big victory.
The most inexperienced player among the leaders is Landry, who refuses to go away. After leading the first round, he put up 71 and was even through his third round, getting past playing partner Dustin Johnson who was two-over on his round and starting to show signs of vulnerability after looking invincible for the first 36 holes.
Grace and Day have the advantage of not having to come back early Sunday morning to finish their third rounds. Both established momentum on Saturday. It was Grace who pushed Jordan Spieth down the stretch at Chambers Bay and may have something to say before it’s all over on Sunday, if it is indeed over.
The U.S.G.A. still uses the 18-hole Monday playoff in event of a tie after 72 holes.
Defending champion Jordan Spieth will need a super-human effort on Sunday. He shot even par 70 and finds himself at four-over, nine back of Lowry.
