Sam Burns holds slim one-shot lead entering final round in unexpected leaderboard at US Open
OAKMONT, Pa. — The star power at the top of the U.S. Open leaderboard as this 125th edition awaits Sunday's final round isn't exactly what the TV networks or those in the Oakmont grillroom were hoping for or expecting.
The Oakmont faithful have become somewhat spoiled by their U.S. Open winners, with the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Johnny Miller and Larry Nelson a part of the club's rich history.
Ernie Els won a U.S. Open at Oakmont, as did Dustin Johnson.
Those are examples of the pedigree expected to emerge from the 156-player field hoisting the chalice by dinnertime Sunday.
But you know what?
Sam Burns, who didn't back up in Saturday's third round after posting the round of the tournament with his 65 on Friday, doesn't give a damn about the pedigree on the board.
He shot 69 on Saturday and takes a one-shot lead into the final round at 4-under par, seeking a life-changing victory.
5 Sam Burns, who heads into the final round with a one stroke lead, hits a tee shot on the 15th hole in the third round of the U.S. Open on June 14, 2025.
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
J.J. Spaun, who's been at or near the top of the leaderboard after every round and refuses to go away, doesn't give a damn, either.
He's 3-under par after shooting 69 and trails Burns by one shot.
Adam Scott, who's 44 years old and hasn't won a tournament since 2020, doesn't give a damn.
He's one shot off the lead at 3-under par after shooting 67 in pursuit of a second career major 12 years after his first, the 2013 Masters.
Viktor Hovland, who's knocked on the door in major championships without bagging one, with three top 5 finishes including a runner-up and a tie for third, doesn't give a damn.
He's three shots behind Burns at 1-under par after shooting 70.
Carlos Ortiz, who's playing in his 162nd career PGA Tour tournament and has one win (the 2020 Vivant Houston Open), doesn't give a damn either.
He's even par for the championship and four shots back after shooting 67.
5 J.J. Spaun, who is one shot off the lead, hits a tee shot on the 16th hole during the third round of the U.S. Open.
AP
Thriston Lawrence, who entered the week having missed the cut in nine of his 11 starts on the PGA Tour this year, doesn't give a damn.
He's 1-over par, five shots off the lead.
Tyrrell Hatton, the only player from LIV Golf in contention, doesn't give a damn.
With six career top 10 finishes in major championships, he's also 1-over par and five back after shooting 68 on Saturday.
'I don't think it makes a difference whether you've won majors in the past,'' Hatton said. 'You know that you can get over the line in a major. On your day, you have to trust that you can compete and beat anyone and have that self-belief.''
5 Adam Scott, who is one shot off the lead, hits a tee shot during the third round of the U.S. Open.
Getty Images
Among the top 20 on the leaderboard, only Scott and world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler have won a major championship.
Most curious about this tournament, particularly Saturday, has been the failure of the big guns to make a move.
Scheffler, winner of three of his past four starts, including the PGA and the Memorial, never made a move, standing in place on Saturday with an even-par 70.
He's 4-over par and eight shots off the lead.
5 Third-round leader Sam Burns lines up a putt during the third round of the U.S. Open.
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
'Around this place anything can happen,'' Scheffler said, sounding as if he hasn't given up hope for a victory.
The largest U.S. Open deficit overcome in a final round was seven shots, by Arnold Palmer in 1960 at Cherry Hills.
'Do I feel like I'm out of the tournament? No,'' Scheffler said. 'Do I wish I played a little bit better today? Yeah, of course. I felt like I had a hard time getting momentum. I made a few silly mistakes out there, a couple three-putts, which is just a killer. Overall, I felt like I was battling hard.''
Rory McIlroy, newly minted Masters champion and career Grand Slam winner, never made a move, shooting 74 to stand at 10-over par and admitting to reporters he can't wait to go home.
5 Carlos Ortiz, who is four shots off the lead, hits an iron shot during the third round of the U.S. Open.
Getty Images
Xander Schauffele, who won two majors last year, never made a move, shooting 71 to stand at 7-over.
Jon Rahm, former U.S. Open winner, never made a move, shooting 73 to stand at 7-over.
Brooks Koepka, the last player to win back-to-back U.S. Opens, flirted with the top of the leaderboard on Friday, never made a move, shooting 73 to stand at 5-over.
Collin Morikawa, a two-time major winner, never made a move, shooting 74 to stand at 8-over for the week.
Other than Scott, Sunday's final round looks like it's going to be about a bunch of guys seeking their first major championship.
'I've been trying to do my best, that's all I have,'' Ortiz said. 'Hopefully it's enough. If not, I don't have anything else. It would be great. Winning any kind of tournament is awesome.''
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