Golf: Day boosts Aussie hopes at US Open

Adam Scott‘s hopes of back-to-back major wins may have vanished, but Justin Day’s form at the US Open has kept alive hopes of an unlikely Australian Grand Slam.

World number three Scott, who became an instant national hero in April when he became the first Australian to win the Masters, only just squeezed into the weekend on seven over.

He needed a third round somewhere in the 60s on Saturday, but instead, a three-over 73 left him 11 shots adrift of leader Phil Mickelson and out of contention.

John Senden and Mathew Goggin had been the leading Australians going into the third round, but though Senden briefly had sole possession of the lead after a birdie-bidie start, they both fell away.

Senden settled for a 74 which put him six strokes behind Mickelson, while Goggin had a 76 and is nine shots adrift.

Stepping forward was 25-year-old Queenslander Day, who had a two under 68, the second-best score of the third round, which hoisted him into contention at two over.

Day came close to winning the Masters in April, before his putting let him down over the last few holes, and he has a runner-up finish at the US Open, albeit eight strokes behind 2011 champion Rory McIlroy.

The four majors, he said brings out in the best in him.

“Really, the majors are kind of where it’s at,” he said.

“I think that it really defines a career. I mean, you’re playing against the best players in the world at the highest level on the toughest golf courses, and I think that I just really enjoy playing in front of a lot of people and playing against the best.”

Day also takes heart from the form of the Austraian contingent on the US tour this year and he is aware that the first Australian to win the US Open in 1981 was David Graham at the same Merion Golf Club hosting this week’s tournament.

What could be more appropriate that winning again for the green and gold to make it two majors for Australia this year with two to go?

“It would be good for the Aussie Grand Slam. That would be really nice,” he said when asked what it would mean to win on Sunday.

“I think that Australian golf is in good shape right now, especially with how everyone’s playing. Goggin and Senden this week are playing great.

“It would mean the world to me if I could win my first major here. I’ve had a couple of opportunities to win before, but to actually win on I think one of the toughest US Opens that I’ve ever played, to know that my game is good enough to compete and win out here on this golf course, would be great.