Cantlay Has Another Steady Round To Stay Within Reach Of 1st Major Title At US Open

Pinehurst, North Carolina – Since that screaming, birdie-filled run to open the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2, Patrick Cantlay’s life has slowed.

He is quite happy to be only three shots behind leader Bryson DeChambeau, and he is going into the final round with a chance to win his maiden major championship.

It sounds fantastic, Cantlay said. Pinehurst looks to be a fantastic golf course. You play smartly around here and hit a lot of fairways so that you can climb the leaderboard with pars and a few birdies.

Keeping himself 4 under for the tournament, Cantlay fired an even-par 70 on Saturday in the third round, putting him with Rory McIlroy for a thrilling final-round partnership on Sunday. At Marco Simone during the Ryder Cup last year, the two players engaged in a furious altercation in which their caddies became involved.

Cantlay Has Another Steady Round To Stay Within Reach Of 1st Major Title At US Open

Cantlay has kept himself close to the lead by avoiding big mistakes since opening with five birdies in the first 11 holes on Thursday. On Friday, he made a double bogey. On the Donald Ross-designed course, where the sandy native parts have given players fit, and the domed greens have bewildered them, it has been a constant grind.

It’s tough to chip or put it up to tap-in when you miss greens around here, Cantlay remarked. “I say that because it often falls away and off the green from 4, 5, or 6 feet on the other side of the hole.

“The patience comes in leaving yourself three or four feet, or four or five feet, on the right side—even on chipping and putts from off the green. I performed admirably at that today and then made several of those par-saving putts from the right side of the hole.

Since entering the tour ten years ago, Cantlay, 32, has won eight times and amassed over $45.5 million in earnings. Although he has placed in the top 10 four times—once in the Masters (2019), once in the PGA Championship (2019, 2023), and once in the British Open (2022)—he is still seeking a major championship.

In the previous two years, he tied for 14th place at the U.S. Open.

Cantlay | AP News Image

Cantlay Has Another Steady Round To Stay Within Reach Of 1st Major Title At US Open

At first, his wild On Thursday, he tied with McIlroy for the lead after a day with just one bogey and six birdies, the last coming on a 15-footer to finish his round. His score of 5-under 65 is still the lowest of the competition thus far.

Ever since, though, things have been quieter—even calmer.

On Friday, his approach shot went off the right side of the green, his subsequent chip slid past the flagstick and off the other side of the green, and a chip attempt slowly crept back down to his side of the green. That was one big error.

Otherwise, he has played 35 holes over the last two days with five birdies and four bogeys.

Saturday, Cantlay buzzed the right side of the cup with a 15-footer for par, but he recovered his stroke on the fifth hole when he chipped onto the green and rolled the ball within a few feet for a birdie finish.

Cantlay bogeyed his ninth hole, but he continued to make pars. He hit his tee shot on 17 within 20 feet of the pin, and he holed a downhill birdie putt to tie the score and set up a Sunday charge.

Cantlay | AP News Image

Cantlay Has Another Steady Round To Stay Within Reach Of 1st Major Title At US Open

It needs discipline and patience, Cantlay remarked. Trying not to fire at too many flagsticks this week has gone well, especially when I don’t have a wedge.

“Being clever and managing your leaves is everything on this golf course. I have done a decent job of that thus far, and I will carry that strategy into tomorrow.

SOURCE – (AP)