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Golf Monthly
Golf Monthly
Sport
Thomas Patrick Clarke

US Open Golf Live Updates, Leaderboard 2023: Fowler & Clark Share The Lead With McIlroy Lurking

(Image credit: Copyright USGA)

Rickie Fowler holds the lead going into day 3 of the 2023 US Open, but will he be able to keep up his incredible play so far? The chasing pack is full of the biggest names in the game, will someone make a charge? All will be revealed within our live updates below.

US OPEN HEADLINES

  • Fowler ties Martin Kaymer's US Open scoring record with 130 after 36 holes
  • Fowler also made the most ever birdies in a US Open after 36 with 18
  • McIlroy at -8, two back heading into the weekend, after a 68
  • Schauffele also -8 after birdie-birdie finish to follow up 62 with level par 70
  • Dustin Johnson -6 despite quadruple bogey on 2nd hole in round 2
  • World No.1 Scottie Scheffler -5
  • Big names to miss the cut include Phil Mickelson, Jordan Spieth, Max Homa and Justin Thomas

US OPEN LEADERBOARD 2023

  • -11 Fowler
  • -10 Clark
  • -8 McIlroy, English
  • -7 Schauffele
  • -5 Johnson, Smith, Scheffler

ANYONE HAD ANY SLEEP?

No me neither - but I am very pumped for the day 3 action at Los Angeles Country Club... who will make a jump on moving day?

Hello and welcome to Moving Day

Michael Weston here for the the next few hours - looking back at the best of yesterday's action, before Moving Day gets underway. Plus, we'll look ahead to what we can expect over the weekend. Can Rickie Fowler hold on and finally get that elusive first Major title? Will Rory McIlroy make it number five after being stuck on four since the 2014 PGA Championship.

Lots to look forward to. 

STAT ATTACK

Let's start with some stats from yesterday, shall we...

Starting with everyone's favourite: average driving distances (tournament average so far)

1 Aldrich Potgieter (a) 339.9
2 Bryson DeChambeau 334.1
3 Gordon Sargent (a) 330.9
4 Tyrrell Hatton 327.3
5 Cameron Young 326.8
6 Wyndham Clark 325.8
7 Gary Woodland 322.6
8 Rory McIlroy 322.3
9 Min Woo Lee 321.9
10 Jon Rahm 321.3

MR LONG

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Here's a picture of the big-hitting South African, Aldrich Potgieter. I've chosen one of him signalling a wide to emphasise how important it is to be long and straight, people. 

MR ACCUARTE 

(Image credit: Getty Images)

It's only fair that if we're going to praise the big hitters, we also give a shout out to the most accurate ones. So here's Brian Harman, who has so far hit 24/26 fairways (92%). Not bad going at all, Bri.

Who has the hottest putter?

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Tournament leader Rickie Fowler, of course (all rounds)

1 Rickie Fowler 1.45
2 Wyndham Clark 1.54
3 Dustin Johnson 1.58
T4 Patrick Rodgers 1.62
T4 Sam Burns 1.62

FLASHBACK 

(Image credit: Getty Images)

We're not building this up as a two-horse race - it's nothing of the sort. However, with these two in contention, it's hard not to think back to that 2007 Walker Cup at Royal County Down. How time flies. 

WHAT DO THE BOOKIES SAY?

After two rounds, it's currently looking like this in the betting:

Rory McIlroy 3/1 (T3, -8)
Rickie Fowler 10/3 (1, -10)
Xander Schauffele 4/1 (T3, -8)
Scottie Scheffler 7/1 (T8, -5)
Wyndham Clark 7/1 (2, -9)
Dustin Johnson 14/1 (T6, -6)

Who's your money on?

ROUND 3 WEATHER UPDATE

If you want to know the latest on marine layers and wind directions etc - admit it, you want to see the best players in the world struggle more, in typically nasty US Open conditions - here's the latest US Open weather forecast

ROUND 3 PIN POSITIONS 

Who, when they're playing golf, gets the pin positions for the day and puts the slip of paper in the side pocket on their golf bag - taking it out only when it's time to remove mouldy bananas and broken tees etc? Surely it's not just me. 

I've always thought the starter/pro should ask you whether you'd like the pin positions - could save a lot of paper being wasted. 

IS THIS RORY'S WEEK?

"No one wants me to win another Major more than I do," says the Ulsterman. A reminder that Rory sits just two shots back at -8. It's a good while yet before the leaders go off: 

3.18pm/6.18pm/11.18pm - Dustin Johnson, Harris English
3.29pm/6.29pm/11.29pm - Xander Schauffele, Rory McIlroy
3.40pm/6.40pm/11.40pm - Wyndham Clarke, Rickie Fowler

XANDER v RICKIE 

Like Fowler, Schauffele has come close on the Major stage on a number of occasions, without quite getting the job done. Here's how their best Major finishes compare:

The Masters: Fowler (2), Schauffele (T2)
PGA Championship: Fowler (T3), Schauffele (T10)
US Open: Fowler (T2), Schauffele (T3)
The Open: Fowler (T2), Schauffele (T2)

WHAT WILL THE WINNING SCORE BE?

A lot of people are surprised to see the leader, Fowler, already at -10, much of which is down to the weather - and no small amount of good play, of course. However, what will be the winning score at the end of the week? Here are the winning scores at the US Open from the last ten years:

2022 -6
2021 -6
2020 -6
2019 -13
2018 +1
2017 -16
2016 -4
2015 -5
2014 -9
2013 +1

HOW'S THE DEFENDING CHAMP DOING? 

He's 11 back and probably won't be retaining his title - but he's still having fun. 

MORE STATS 

Some more numbers here for those of you who love a stat...

18 birdies made by Rickie Fowler so far (leader)
14% Patrick Cantlay's strangely poor sand sand percentage (1/7)
86% Dylan Wu's GIR (31/36). He's currently T12
350.1 yards Aldrich Potgieter's driving average in round one 

RICKIE'S RARE RECORD 

What a record this is. There would surely not be a more popular winner this weekend than Rickie Fowler.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH JT?

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Justin Thomas was number one in the world less than three years ago. He's 16th now, but looks nothing like the player he was back then. After missing the cut by 12 shots at Los Angeles Country Club, he admitted it was the "lowest I've felt."

The two-time Major champ came into the week on a poor run of form, but was left baffled after feeling like he'd turned a corner with his game following his MC at the Memorial.

"I was playing the best I’ve played in a really long time this week, so funny game, man," Thomas said. "It can leave you speechless, both good and bad, and right now it's unfortunate. But once I’m able to reflect and figure out what I can learn and get better from, it’ll end up good. But it sucks right now."

DJ ON HIS SNOWMAN YESTERDAY 

Dustin Johnson racked up an eight on the par-4 2nd yesterday. He made a fine recovery, reeling off five birdies before signing for an even-par 70 - and he's bang in the mix for a second US Open title, just four shots back.

The American had a few people giggling when explaining that disaster of a hole, something that happens to club golfers most weekends. "Well, I was just trying to make a five, but obviously didn't really hit that bad of a drive. Just hit it a little on the top so it didn't quite cut enough," he said. "Caught the corner of the bunker and then chunked my bunker shot and then chunked the next one, skulled the next one. Everything that you could do wrong I did wrong."

Been there - many times.

Round 3 is under way

We're underway... just the six hours before the leaders go off. 

US OPEN LEADERBOARD

A reminder of how things stand as Moving Day gets underway...

-10 Fowler
-9 Clark
-8 McIlroy, Schauffele
-7 English

Rahm looking to go low

With a much earlier tee time than he would've liked, Jon Rahm is out on course and his first approach shot is a dart. Who will emerge from the morning starters to make a score? 

Greens looking quick

Jon Rahm's birdie attempt flashes past the hole and he has to settle for par. The greens are looking quick already this morning and there's plenty of time for them to dry out and get quicker before the leaders go out. 

When are the leaders going out? 

Here are the tee times to look out for later. Times are PDT, EDT and BST...

Lowry starts with a birdie 

Shane Lowry is also out early this morning and cards an early birdie on the 2nd hole. These early starters will easily have the best of today's conditions.  

Tough pins

Watching these early starters is giving us a good idea of the pin positions today. The 5th and 6th are looking particularly tucked away... 

Shane setting the morning pace

(Image credit: Getty Images/David Cannon)

Back to back birdies for Shane Lowry gets him back to level par for the tournament. 

Who's missing this weekend?

There were some big names to miss the cut at this year's US Open, and the cut line was fairly low for a U.S. Open at +2. 

Getting a feel for things 

After watching Jon Rahm have to play back and to the side of the greenside bunker on the driveable 6th hole, it looks like the layup will be the best option for our leaders later. Adam Hadwin, who laid well back, has a great birdie effort while Rahm will do well to make a par. 

I wonder how much of this early coverage the leaders watch, because this is useful information before they head out. 

Homa grinding

Despite missing the cut after a second round 76, Max Homa has arrived at the LACC driving range to try and figure out whatever was going wrong yesterday. Got to admire the grind...

Eagle for ancer 

That's how to play the first hole! Abraham Ancer cards an eagle three on the opening par-5 to get back to level par for the tournament. The pin has been placed in the back right on this hole today and will favour a shot running in rather than something trying to carry the greenside bunker. 

81 yard hole confirmed

It's the 81-yard hole klaxon. We've just seen shots of the greenkeepers placing today's hole on the 15th and, as we expected, it's been placed at the very front right corner at a total of 81 yards. I'm very excited to see how the players handle this one...

Shortest hole in U.S Open History 

Confirmation that the 15th hole will become the shortest hole in U.S Open history later today. We've seen three holes in one there so far, as well as over 20 three putts yesterday alone. Should be a lot of fun to watch. 

Eagle chance for Tommy

After his near-heroics at the Canadian Open last week, things have cooled off a little for Tommy Fleetwood this week. He's made the cut though and is doing all he can to mount some sort of charge today. He set up a look at eagle on the 8th with this effort. 

Spoiler alert, he didn't make the eagle putt. 

Lowry hottest on course 

Shane Lowry has just finished his front nine in just 32 blows. Impressive stuff from the Irishman who has propelled himself to -2 for the tournament which is inside the top 15. 

Cantlay, Henley going well

A few other players showing the leaders there's a score to be had out there today are Patrick Cantlay and Russell Henley. They're both -3 through seven holes this morning...

Cantlay birdies, moves into top 15

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Another birdie for a surging Patrick Cantlay has seen him enter the top 15 at -4. As fierce as this course can be, there's scores out there on the front nine. I expect the back nine will be a very different story...

And another!

Cantlay is on fire. A birdie on the 9th is his fifth of the day and he's -3 for the tournament. That's 30 shots on his opening nine of the day. 

Back nine proving tougher

As well as some of the players have tackled the front nine this morning, LACC's back nine is already showing its teeth. Shane Lowry has succumbed twice with bogies on 11 and 12. Can Patrick Cantlay keep his hot streak going as he enters the back nine? 

Cantlay makes first bogey

Watch out for the back nine. After his five birdies on the front nine, Patrick Cantlay has made his first bogey on the 10th. If the leaders want to make a charge later, it looks like most of their work will need to be done on the opening few holes.

THE ROLEX HOUR

Nice to come on board as the ad-free hour comes to a close... Rory's just arriving and he's in shorts, T-shirt and shades. Couldn't look more relaxed. Off at 11.29 BST, two back of Rickie.

THAT 15TH HOLE

It measures 81 yards today which is obviously far more interesting than 297 yards. You do wonder that that authorities could set up a hole of this length and it wouldn't get too much criticism. Fleetwood flicks one in, one bounce and into some deep bund beyond the pin.

BIG IN JAPAN

And everywhere really. One for the 80s kids. Hideki rolls one in at the 6th, three early birdies. If you are going to make a move then you want a front nine in the very low 30s..

YES OR NO?

You know it's a big week when the manufacturers go to town with the tour bags. Quite like this, very SoCal. 

(Image credit: Getty Images)

EAGLE CHIP... FROM A BUSH

The 6th is a blind tee shot to a reachable par 4 where your ball can end up anywhere. Which it did for Matt Fitzpatrick. Halfway up some small shrubbery. There will likely be a video of it shortly. Makes light work of it and gives himself half a chance of a birdie. Many amateurs would make a double +.

HATTON SPOT ON

Tyrrell knocks one on to the par-5 8th to 18 inches or so. Tom Kim has made four early birdies and is now up to T11, now on -4. Playing himself into this thing now.

FANTASTIC RYAN FOX

Gets round in a shade over three hours and had the local pro as a marker. Shoots a 69 and he won't be first out on Sunday. As things stand Ryo Ishikawa is propping up the field.

BROOKSY BABY

Koepka makes his second birdie in four holes. Do like the fact that he doesn't wear his team colours here as opposed to most of the LIV players. Just a bit naff.

Tom Kim leaves himself a 20-footer for his par at the 7th after hitting the green. And makes it. Another gain on the field with a 3 here.  

WATCH THIS...

I know we're easily pleased in golf but this is ridiculous

MATSUYAMA STILL GOING STRONG

Another birdie for Hideki. Quite fancied him at the start of the week, something I say every Major, and he's making a very nice move.

All the players now seem to have arrived. Some in gym gear, some ready to play. Think I'd be the latter. Harris English looked really weird/unrecognisable in his casual wear.

RAHM LOOKS SET TO EXPLODE

Big Jon has a swish of the club in the rough after chipping up to 10 feet. Makes a bogey, round in 70 and at +2. Think he's had enough of this place.

218 YARDS... ONE INCH

Amateur Ben Carr hits the pin full on and it sits on the edge of the hole. Another video that will be coming up.. here's the graphic for now.

(Image credit: Getty Images )

THAT CARR BIRDIE..

Here it is. One inch

SOMETHING SPECIAL FROM KIM 

Tom Kim is making a gargantuan move today, here's a bit of context of what this rascal has been up to the past couple of hours 

TK MAXING OUT THIS ROUND

Kim has a shortish putt for birdie at the 10th, this is turning into something very special. Began this week with a 73 and has a putt to move to -6.

SOUND THE KLAXON

Dame Laura has put it out there that we are now on 59 Watch as Tom Kim rolls in his seventh birdie. That may be short-lived as he moves to the 273-yard par-3 11th.

PADRAIG BOGEY FREE

Harrington is now in the top 15 at the age of 51. He's just showed us how to play the 81-yard 15th with a cheeky two.

WHO ARE WE FANCYING?

There are some magnificent names lurking on the leaderboard and Cam Smith is one who you would strongly expect to edge a bit closer to the top of the board.

I just mentioned that Harrington had a blemish-free card. He's just bogeyed the 16th.

KIM PARS MONSTER PAR 3

The 11th is playing at 3.52. Tom Kim makes his 3. Nobody has birdied this today so another hole chalked off.

PAR 3, 81 YARDS

What would you hit here? Rickie Fowler spoke earlier in the week about laying up here

KOEPKA HITS THE PIN

With his birdie chip at the 8th. Is only -1 as he heads to the 9th tee and he's missing out here a bit, in a tie for 23rd. Said last night that it's not his favourite course and looking very unlikely that he's going to move to six big ones. 

RARE SIGHTING OF SERGIO

Feel like I haven't watched Garcia play golf for ages and am slightly discombobulated by the sight of the Spaniard in some arm sleeves. Not sure I've ever seen him sporting these before? Anyway, he finds the very short 15th with a neat flick.

MEET RYUTARO NAGANO

The 35-year-old is yet to win on the Japan Golf Tour and will be making his first US Open start after earning one of the three available spots at Ibaraki GC in May. His best finish on the JGT is second when he lost a play-off to Keita Nakajima in the 2021 Panasonic Open Golf Championship. This will be his second start in a major championship, following a missed cut in the 2021 Open Championship. 

And he's now up to -3.

THE LEADERS OUT IN AN HOUR

Ryan Fox finished his round in three hours. There's a chance that he's going to be done nine plus hours ahead of the last group finishing off. Not sure what time the final group's off tomorrow but god willing it's earlier than today.

HOVLAND STILL PROGRESSING

Viktor had a shocking start on Thursday but he's slowly advancing up the board. He's -2 today and -3 overall. The ads are coming thick and fast now, the Rolex Hour seems a short lifetime away.

SWEET POD 

Harrington is the clubhouse leader with Cantlay at -1. He's round in 67 and is improving with every round. 

Tom Kim has his first dropped shot at the 13th.

BURNS NIGHT (AFTERNOON)

Sam Burns chips in across the 6th green for a very unlikely eagle two while DeChambeau's putter is working wonders as he drains a fourth birdie of the day as he begins to climb the leaderboard again.

Cam Smith and Scheffler are off now, bit more like it.  

SOME USGA CHAT

We're in the middle of a very lengthy chat with the USGA's Chief Championships Officer John Bodenhamer who bats away an awful lot of questions. More golf please, less of this. 

Speaking of which Scheffler has nutted his opening drive 378 yards. A good sign given that he's been playing around with some different versions.

KOEPKA NUDGING CLOSER

He's just holed out from the sand at the 12th and he's now up to -3. Fellow LIV player Niemann is making an awful lot of birdies and is on the same mark - the Chilean has just had four in five holes.

THE 15TH STARTING TO DO ITS THING

Scheffler makes light work of the 594-yard opener, two putts and it's a birdie. Fitzpatrick made an ace at the 15th, his first as a pro, on Friday. He comes within a foot of repeating the trick. Tom Kim comes up short, is plugged and has next to no shot.

RORY AND XANDER FIVE MINUTES AWAY

More big names finally pegging it up. DJ smokes it down the middle and Harris English, who looks more normal again with his cap on, finds the first cut. Tom Kim drops one at 15 despite a valiant par putt and he's back to -4.

FOWLER LEAVES THE PRACTICE GROUND

With, bizarrely, a small rucksack on. He'll be playing with Wyndham Clark which might well help him. Sure we overplay these things but he's been away from the top table for a few years now. Will be fascinating to see how he fares over the next two days - not sure many would strongly fancy him to win but he's been smashing it this year with Butch Harmon now back at the controls.

MCILROY UP AND RUNNING

Rory loves this opening tee shot and he's ripped another one. Is -10 for the front side and he'll have an iron into the par 5. You can tell a lot by his body language and this week that side of things looks spot on. Easy when you're scoring nicely but he's been very impressive.

SCHAUFFELE HAS A SANDY SHOCKER

Xander has just had an absolute shocker from the fairway bunker at the 1st. He TWICE hits the lip as the ball comes back to him and his fourth shot didn't look to have much height on it. Seven now a good score on a hole where everyone is making birdie.

Rory hit his 388 yards to leave himself an 8-iron, slams it to 20 feet.

XANDER MIGHT ESCAPE WITH A BOGEY

Schauffele actually had a pitch shot in and might make a bogey if he can make a 10-footer. Speaking of disasters DJ has played a poor approach to the 2nd, a hole where he made an 8 on Saturday.

Rickie is off and finds the 1st fairway...

MCILROY EDGES CLOSER

Rory makes a very simple birdie at 1, Schauffele makes a quite brilliant bogey. Odd start to his day but could give him lots of confidence?

BRACE YOURSELF

Imagine doing this on the Saturday of the US Open and you're in the penultimate group..

ANOTHER SHOCKER FOR SCHAUFFELE 

The American has to play his approach to the 2nd green from the 17th fairway after a big pull. He tries to cut one back but can only find a cluster of fans. 

Wyndham Clark birdies the 1st with a no-nonsense two putt. Rickie does the same and is back to -11.

Xander responds

It's not a birdie, but it'll feel like one. Schauffele holes a 50 footer from across the green on the 2nd for par. Miss that, and he would've started bogey, bogey - gutsy stuff. 

English to -8

Don't forget about Harris English. He's gone quietly about his work all week and has just moved to -8, three behind the leader.

Fowler is in some trouble on the second hole and will do well to make a par...

Schauffele spraying

It's an uncharacteristic and wild start from Xander, who has just found the super thick stuff on the third hole. He'll need to arrest this slide quickly to avoid totally dropping out of contention. 

Fowler makes a bogey on the 2nd, continuing his trend of ignoring pars this week. 

McIlroy Ties The Lead

Rory McIlroy is now in a tie for the lead at the 123rd U.S Open. A dead weight putt into the front of the hole on the tough 3rd hole sees him -2 for the day, -10 for the tournament. 

Schauffele makes his second bogey of the day, capping off what has been a chaotic start. 

Clark takes the lead

That should've been birdie number 20 for Rickie Fowler, but he's pushed a putt and has to settle for a par. 

Wyndham Clark nudges himself out to -11 with a birdie of his own. It's an ever-changing picture in the early stages of this third round. 

Rory drops one back

Immediately after sharing the lead, McIlroy now finds himself two shots back after a bogey of his own. A poor iron shot on the 4th hole left him with a tough up and down that he couldn't convert. 

Steady as she goes

Another par for Rory after finding the green in regulation. He's looking in great control of his golf ball though, and more opportunities should present themselves soon. 

It's the opposite of steady for Xander Schauffele however, who drops another shot on the 5th hole. He's back to -5. 

English birdies, Fowler bogies

A birdie for English and a bogey for Fowler mean they are both are now at -9. It was an unforced error (missing the massive 5th fairway) that cost Fowler on this occasion. 

Gaps emerging...

There's a bit of a gap emerging on the leaderboard now. After the group at -9, it's a four shot gap to those back at -5. Can anyone join Fowler, Clark, McIlroy and English in the fight for the lead? 

First of the day for Xander

It's taken until the 6th hole, but Xander Schauffele has made his first birdie of the day. That makes up for one of his three bogeys so far today.

In his group, McIlroy has made a stunning up and down on the 7th to save a par and keep some momentum in his round.

Sharing is caring

Clark and Fowler both come away from the short 6th hole with pars. They're both using the exact same putters after Clark asked Odyssey to make an exact replica of Fowler's flatstick. 

Eagle chance

An eagle opportunity on the par-5 8th will be upcoming for Xander Schauffele. If he converts this, it'll be some comeback from his shaky start. 

McIlroy's touch

Here's that stunning up and down from Rory on the 7th hole. 

Birdie for Fowler 

It's a birdie on the 277-yard par-3 for Fowler! He's back to where he started the day at -10 and puts some heat back on Wyndham Clark. For every Fowler mistake, a birdie seems to follow. 

Schauffele birdies, misses eagle chance

It'll have to be just a birdie for Schauffele despite the excellent approach to the 8th. McIlroy can only make a par and remains two shots behind Clark. 

McIlroy turns at -1, Xander claws to level

That's 34 strokes for Rory going out. It could've been a couple fewer, and he'll know that, but he's only two shots off the lead.

His playing partner Xander Schauffele makes a birdie on the 9th to somehow go out in level par, despite three bogeys in his opening five holes. 

English quietly motors on 

Harris English quietly steps another rung up the leaderboard. His putter has been his friend all week and he pours another in to get to -10, one back. 

Front vs Back

There's just been a great graphic showing just how different the two nines have played. For the whole field, the front nine has played +89 while the back a whopping +567. Astounding difference.

English stuttering 

The first mistakes of the day are starting to appear. The first from Harris English comes as he bogeys the 11th. He's now well out of position on the 12th and will do well not to go back to back. 

Clark falls out of the lead

A bogey at the long par-3 11th means Clark falls out of the solo lead and is now tied with Fowler at -10.

Don't forget Scottie

Like a bad smell, Scottie Scheffler just won't go away. He's been hanging around the -5 mark all day, and now has an opportunity to get to -6 and close the gap between him and the leading group. 

Whiff alert

Ladies and gentleman, we have a whiff. Well, not a full whiff, but Clark has just moved the ball about six inches going for a full chip. He's managed this 12th hole poorly, getting out of position off the tee and chasing the hole ever since. 

Fowler takes solo lead

It's a bogey for Clark and a par for Fowler that means he takes the solo lead. The putter hasn't been quite as hot today for Fowler, but he's been steady tee to green. 

Ro(a)r of frustration 

A poor first putt on the 13th from McIlroy produces a roar of aguish from the Northern Irishman. He can't convert the par attempt and that's his first three putt of the week. 

In his group, Schauffele also makes a bogey to fall to -7. 

Rickie don't lose that number

From absolutely nowhere, Rickie Fowler has just made a sensational birdie on the 13th. He was so far away from the hole, he was just trying to get the ball within the circle of friendship and make his par. Clark also makes a birdie to stay within one shot.

That's the second hardest hole on the course that this pair has just played in six shots combined. 

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