US Open final round: McIlroy finishing strongly as leaders head out

BBC News

15-06-2025

Update:
Date: 18:38 BST
Title: How hard is it out there today?
Content: With only four players under par after 54 holes, we've got use to this course beating golfers up this week.
But it's definitely mellowed over the weekend.
At the time of writing, six holes are playing under par, so there are birdies out there.
And plenty of them are on the back nine, so strap in for fireworks when the leaders reach there.
(Provided they survive 15, 16 and 18 that is...)
Update:
Date: 18:37 BST
Title: All upsides for Scott
Content: Scott -3 (19:15 BST)
At 44 years of age, Adam Scott could become the oldest US Open champion since Hale Irwin in 1990 if he can get the job done today.
He's not feeling the pressure though, as with a Masters title already in his pocket he sees challenging for a second major at his age as a bonus.
"It's all upsides," Scott said after his third round. "I'm lucky, I've won a major.
"I'd love to win the US Open though, and fortunately the confidence is up so I should look to take advantage of it."
Update:
Date: 18:37 BST
Title: Another birdie for Rory
Content: McIlroy +7 (17)
Rory McIlroy - swinging much better today - lashes a three-wood on to the green at the short par-four 17th.
He races his 25-foot eagle attempt well past the hole, but makes the one coming back.
He's back to three under for the day. A birdie at the last will give him a closing 66 and something positive to take away from a dispiriting week.
Update:
Date: 18:33 BST
Title: I've earned the right to do whatever I want to do - McIlroy
Content: Rory McIlroy made plenty of headlines when he opted not to speak to the media after his first two rounds at Oakmont, and then made headlines when he did speak after round three..
"It's just frustration with you guys [some sections of the media]," the Northern Irishman said in his first post-round interview at a major since winning the Masters at Augusta in April.
"I have been totally available for the past number of years," McIlroy added. "That [driver issue] was a part of it but at Augusta I skipped you guys on Thursday.
"It's not out of the ordinary as I've done it before, but I am doing it a little more often. I feel like I've earned the right to do whatever I want to do."
Do you agree with McIlroy? Read the full story and have your say.
Update:
Date: 18:31 BST
Title: Any chance of a comeback?
Content: Any chance of a big comeback today? Oakmont isn't exactly an ideal course for chasing birdies, but there are chances if you find the fairway.
And shots for the leaders can be lost in an instant.
But the largest ever US Open final round comeback is from seven shots back, so that means only the top 10 overnight stand a chance today, what do you think?
Here's the biggest final round comebacks in US Open history:
Update:
Date: 18:29 BST
Title: Strong start for Detry
Content: Detry +3 (7)
Belgium's Thomas Detry is sneaking up the leaderboard. The 32-year-old rolls in a 10-foot putt on the par three sixth to go two under and then almost birdies the seventh.
He has made a strong start and is currently up into a tie for ninth.
Update:
Date: 18:28 BST
Title: The outsider?
Content: Neergaard-Petersen +2, Lawrence +1 (18:42 BST)
Thriston Lawrence is supposed to have gone away by now but the gritty South African is sticking around.
It's been a miserable year for the 28-year-old, making only three of 14 cuts worldwide before this week.
And yet here he is, in the top seven and ranked third for strokes gained putting at the US Open.
Update:
Date: 18:26 BST
Title: The wily veteran
Content: It's 22 years since Adam Scott first played in the US Open as a fresh-faced 21-year-old.
Here's how old the rest of his competition today were when he teed off at Bethpage on 13 June 2002.
(If you're wondering who won that year, yeah it was Mr Woods).
Update:
Date: 18:25 BST
Title: McIlroy battling back
Content: McIlroy +8 (16)
Rory McIlroy has cut a forlorn and agitated figure all week, but he's at least had more to shout about today.
The Masters champion has had five birdies and three bogeys and looks poised to card his first under-par round at Oakmont at the sixth attempt (stretching back to the 2016 tournament).
He's currently tied for 35th.
Update:
Date: 18:23 BST
Title: A four-way race?
Content: Each of this quartet leads the field in at least one metric through three rounds.
Burns: Overall (second for approach and around the green)
Spaun: Putting
Scott: Off the tee
Hovland: Approach and tee to green
Leapfrog the others in one of those metrics and it could make the difference today.
Take our poll at the top of the page or choose over here, external
Update:
Date: 18:21 BST
Title: Sunday pins
Content: Some beauties in here again...
Update:
Date: 18:14 BST
Title: Watch: Rory McIlroy's fed-up interview
Content: This video can not be played
Watch: Frustrated McIlroy has 'earned the right to do whatever I want'
Rory McIlroy looked totally fed-up after round three when he gave an interesting interview shall we say, detailing his frustrations at Oakmont and his recent media blackout.
He says he's earned the chance to do what he wants, including skipping media duties - do you agree?
Update:
Date: 18:13 BST
Title: History-making hole
Content: We knew it was coming but Oakmont has indeed made their eighth hole the longest par-three in major championship history today.
At 301 yards, it's an absolute monster - and it's stimulated plenty of discussion this week.
So are you a fan of long par threes? Or is this distance "a gimmick"?
Hit those thumbs.
Update:
Date: 18:10 BST
Title: Overnight Leaderboard
Content: Just four players under par at the end of round three and seven shots covering the top 10 - who will be taking home the trophy out of this lot?
Update:
Date: 18:07 BST
Title: Yesterday's finest
Content: This video can not be played
Best shots from day three at US Open featuring Scheffler & Scott
As we prepare to take you through this final round, take a look back at the best of yesterday's action.
Update:
Date: 18:04 BST
Title: On Sunday's menu
Content: Tonight's winner is probably among this lot.
Here are the tee-times (all BST):
Update:
Date: 18:02 BST
Title: Welcome to championship Sunday!
Content: Here it is folks! It's time to find out who will win the 125th US Open at Oakmont near Pittsburgh as the challengers prepare to get out on the course for their final rounds.
American Sam Burns leads the way but he's just a shot ahead of compatriot JJ Spaun and veteran Australian Adam Scott.
Viktor Hovland is the fourth man under par while Englishman Tyrrell Hatton and Scotsman Robert MacIntyre are in hot pursuit.
Chances are we'll crown a new major champion tonight, but around a course this tough and with the pressure of getting over the line this will not be an easy task.
Shots can vanish in an instant around here, so no lead is safe and this one will definitely not be over until it's over - so make sure you stay right here as we take you through the best of the action.