Tyrrell Hatton kept his composure at Oakmont while fellow Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick let frustration boil over, as Sam Burns held onto his slim lead heading into the final round of the 2025 US Open.
Fitzpatrick, the 2022 US Open champion, carded a third-round 72 that left him at nine over par. Afterward, he didn’t hold back his criticism of the course setup, labeling it “unfair.” He argued that players were being penalized too severely for minor misses, particularly when a shot slightly off the fairway could lead to worse outcomes than a wildly errant one. He acknowledged his appreciation for tough setups and over-par winning scores but felt this year’s configuration at Oakmont crossed the line.
Ironically, it was Hatton often known for his fiery demeanor who showed restraint. A solid 68 moved him to one over par, just five strokes behind the leader. His only notable grievance came at the 15th hole, where he took issue with the amount of rough surrounding bunker slopes. Beyond that, Hatton accepted the challenge and spoke positively about his round, showing surprising calm and determination as he continues the chase for his first major victory.
Meanwhile, Sam Burns remains in front after shooting a 69, putting him at four under. He leads by one over JJ Spaun, who bogeyed the final hole. Veteran Adam Scott surged into contention with a brilliant back nine, ending the day tied for second at three under. At 44, Scott is chasing history, hoping to become the second-oldest winner of the US Open. He’s also the only player in the top 10 with a major title to his name, though just one a fact that continues to suggest unfulfilled potential.
Viktor Hovland briefly joined the leaders before a stumble on the 18th dropped him to one under. Carlos Ortiz stands at even par, while Robert MacIntyre and Scottie Scheffler remain in the hunt at plus three and plus four, respectively. Scheffler played down speculation after being seen in animated discussion with his coach, calling it a typical post-round routine.
With just 18 holes left, a tense and unpredictable final day awaits. The challenging Oakmont course has drawn its share of criticism and admiration and it may yet play a decisive role in crowning a champion.
