Burns still ahead at Oakmont, but look who’s right there: Adam Scott

OAKMONT, Pa. — The day was loaded with warnings, literal ones posted on scoreboards or carried on flashing signs. 

Dangerous weather is approaching, they read. Prepare to take shelter.

They were aimed at the hardy spectators stomping around Oakmont Saturday, watching the scores shift during the third round of the US Open.

When the rain stopped and play ended, there was Sam Burns once more back in the lead. Burns had a 1-under par 69, and his 54-hole total of 4-under 206 is a shot ahead of J.J. Spaun and the persistent Australian, Adam Scott. 

Scott, playing in his 96th consecutive major, shot a 3-under 67 and is tied for second at 207 with J.J. Spaun, who was in front at the close of the first day, and for a few holes Saturday.

Scottie Scheffler looked a little more like the golfer who is number one in the world rankings, with an even par 70. That put him at 214, seven behind Burns. 

There is a seeming United Nations group very high on the leaderboard, including Vicktor Hovland of Norway (209), Carlos Ortiz of Mexico (210), Tyrrel Hatton of England (211) and Thriston Lawrence of South Africa (211), Rasmus Neergaard of Denmark (212), Robert MacIntyre of Scotland (213) and Marc Leishman of Australia (214).

Told that there have been seven first-time major winners in the Opens at Oakmont, Burns, who would be the eighth if he holds on, responded, “Yeah, it would be incredible. I think as a kid growing up, you dream about winning major championships, and that's why we practice so hard and work so hard. All these guys in this field I think would agree that to have the opportunity to win a major is special. I'm definitely really excited for (Sunday).”

But the last round of any major, especially the Open, is daunting and enervating, a test that is as much mental as it is physical. The pressure is there, and so are the conditions.

Scott is 44 and has a Masters victory to his credit. His career is far from finished, but at his age, a win in the US Open would be particularly fulfilling. 

“Everyone out here has got their journey, you know,” said Scott. “Putting ourselves in these positions doesn't just happen by fluke. It's not easy to do it. I really haven't been in this kind of position for five or six years, or feeling like I'm that player. But that's what I'm always working towards. It's not that easy to figure it all out.”

“But if I were to come away with it tomorrow, it would be a hell of a round of golf and an exclamation point on my career.” 

Let’s hope no warning needs to be issued about the weather.