Heavy winds blow US Open field apart as Fitzpatrick and Zalatoris lead together

As heavy winds in Brookline wreaked havoc across the field, the picture at the top of the standings was blown wide open, with Will Zalatoris and Matt Fitzpatrick sharing the lead at four under par en route to Sunday’s decisive round.

Stormy conditions — a topic in every post-round press conference — contributed to a string of helter-skelter scorecards, with just 10 from the 64-man field scoring at least par, and just seven carding under. It means just four strokes separate the leading duo from Nick Hardy in 10th place.

Reigning champion Jon Rahm looked poised to finish the day in pole position to defend his crown, jumping through the penultimate four holes before making a double bogey on the 18th to leave him one stroke off the leading pair.

Scottie Scheffler’s Jekyll and Hyde round epitomized the day. After rushing to the lead with a blazing front nine with two birdies and a stunning eagle, the world number one endured a dismal streak of a double bogey and three straight bogeys after the turn.

He finished the day with two shots from the lead at two-under, along with compatriot Keegan Bradley and qualifier Adam Hadwin, the surprising early leader of Thursday’s opening round.

Co-leader heading into Saturday was Collin Morikawa, who became one of the biggest victims of the Brookline winds. After posting 69 and 66 on the opening two laps, the American fired two double bogeys en route to carding a 77, leaving him six strokes in front.

Morikawa’s co-leader at the start of the day, Joel Dahmen, fared better, despite falling off the standings as well. He shot a 74 to finish the day three strokes from the top alongside Sam Burns and Rory McIlroy.

Zalator is ready to avenge great heartbreak

14th in the world, Zalatoris shone with a round of best 67. The American has come painfully close in recent years, missing the Masters through a stroke in 2021 before suffering a playoff defeat to Justin Thomas at the PGA Championship in May.

Having already labeled The Country Club’s golf course as the toughest he’d ever played, regardless of the weather, Zalatoris revealed that the conditions were so “cruel” that he didn’t aim shots at any of the hole’s flags.

Zalatoris responds to his tee shot on the 18th tee.

Now 18 shots of glory, the 25-year-old believes he has what it takes to cross the line.

“From the PGA [Championship] it gave me a lot of faith and confidence that I belong in this situation,” Zalatoris told reporters.

“There’s a difference in thinking it, and then actually being in the situation and believing it…I’ve put myself in this situation a few times in my career and of course have to go out tomorrow to make it. “

Fitzpatrick ready to repeat performance

World No. 18 Fitzpatrick carded a two-under 68 to join Zalatoris at the top. Although the Englishman also does not have a major to his name, he has experience winning at The Country Club, having won the American amateur at Brookline in 2013.

He has since racked up seven European Tour victories, but admitted his career would be “incomplete” if he quit without savoring major glory.

Fitzpatrick and caddy Billy Foster line up a putt on the 15th green.

“I would be really disappointed if I didn’t,” Fitzpatrick told reporters.

“I definitely feel like I’m a lot more likely to win a major now than I’ve ever done in my career.”

Sunday’s decider will begin at 8:49 a.m. ET, with tee-off times for pairs staggered in ascending order on the leaderboard. Fitzpatrick and Zalatoris will be the last duo to tee off around 2:45 PM ET.

Windy misery for Rahm and Scheffler

Rahm, the first Spaniard to win the US Open with a win over Torrey Pines in 2021, was left with the paradoxical sense of being both “very pleased” with his performance and regretting a late collapse.

Discussing the stormy conditions, the 27-year-old said he would “run to the clubhouse” if offered a one-over par to skip the last five holes.

Rahm reacts after his second shot on the 12th hole.

“In a way it’s infuriating to end up like that with how well I played those holes,” Rahm told reporters.

“I’ve got 18 holes and I’ve only got one shot back. That’s the most important thing.”

Scheffler also chose to take on a cheerful mood despite the effect of the elements on his round. Enjoying a spectacular 2022 with a Masters win and three more PGA Tour wins, the 25-year-old showed his class to keep the ship steady after a terrifying stretch, finishing with three pairs and a birdie.

Scheffler follows his tee shot on the 11th hole.

“That little golf ball is just thrown around everywhere,” Scheffler told reporters, before discussing what a win on Sunday would mean for him.

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“If I do that, it becomes a lot of fun. If I don’t, life goes on,” he said. “Hopefully this won’t be my last US Open, but you never know. I can’t take anything for granted in this life.

“So I’m going to approach tomorrow like I always do and just go out and try to do my best and see what happens after that.”