US Open Day 3: Gutsy Jason Day leads
After a brief fall due to Vertigo on Friday,Jason Day was in his elements on Saturday. The Australian scored 2-under 68 and is tied at the top of the leader board with Branden Grace and Americans Dustin Johnson,Jordan Spieth.
This is the best performance by Day at a major after the completion of 54 holes. The World No. 10 golfer showed symptoms of Vertigo on Saturday as well, particularly in the back nine. Day rose to the occasion as he hit five birdies including three in the last four closing holes.
Day got a standing ovation from the crowd that had assembled at the 18th hole grandstand. The Australian acknowledged the crowd for their support before heading into a waiting van.
"Last year I didn't play the round after I had vertigo and this one was worse," Day said. "I think the goal was just to go through today and see how it goes."
Masters champion Spieth, who shared the lead at the end of Day 2 with his compatriot Patrick Reed stumbled on his way to a 71. After opening up a three-point lead thanks to a 40-footer birdie at the third. His lead evaporated quickly as he three putted for his first bogey from 30 feet away. Another three putter in the fifth meant he was fighting for the top spot again.
"I knew that even par was a really good score starting the day, but when I get to seven-under for the tournament I don't want to finish at four-under, no matter where you're playing," said Spieth.
"I had four three-putts today and that's going to happen out here but two of them are unforced and shouldn't have happened."
Spieth is aiming to become just the sixth player to win both the Masters and the US Open in the same year.
Chambers Bay continues to draw criticism from all quarters. Former great Gary Player described the tournament as the “most unpleasant” he has seen.
"We're playing the US Open, this great championship... but this has been the most unpleasant golf tournament I've seen in my life," Player said.