Bryson DeChambeau fires 67 to emerge atop U.S. Open

Bryson DeChambeau shot a 3-under-par 67 and moved into the lead on Saturday after three rounds of the U.S. Open at Pinehurst, N.C.

Patrick Cantlay (third round 70), Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy (69) and France’s Matthieu Pavon (69) are all three strokes back.

DeChambeau’s lead grew to four strokes before a late double bogey threatened to derail his momentum.

Yet on Sunday, DeChambeau will try to secure his second U.S. Open in a five-year stretch and add another Southern Methodist University connection to this tournament venue. Payne Stewart, who like DeChambeau was an ex-SMU golfer, won the first time the U.S. Open was held in Pinehurst 25 years ago.

Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg, who began the day with a one-stroke lead, shot 73 and is tied with Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama (70) at 2 under.

DeChambeau, who also shot 67 on Thursday, strung together five birdies — including both par-5 holes — in a 10-hole stretch, and suddenly the Pinehurst No. 2 course didn’t seem so menacing, at least for one golfer. That thought was dashed by the time he recorded a 6 on the 16th hole before responding with a birdie on the next hole.

DeChambeau, who won the U.S. Open in 2020, hasn’t finished better than a tie for 20th place since then.

McIlroy had bogeys on two of the final four holes. Pavon had a great start with birdies on three of the first seven holes before a pair of back-side bogeys.

Tony Finau (72) and England’s Tyrrell Hatton (70) share seventh place at 1 under.

Seven golfers registered under-par scores Saturday.

Collin Morikawa posted an early 66 and shot up the leaderboard with the day’s best score. After the bogey-free round with three birdies on the backside, he’s at even par and tied for ninth place with Canada’s Corey Conners (71) and South Korea’s Tom Kim (71).

“If I play the way I did (Saturday), who knows what could happen,” Morikawa said. “This course is only going to get tougher. I know it’s not going to be easy.”

Defending champion Wyndham Clark posted his second 71 of the week and sits at 5 over.

World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler also recorded his second 71 of the tournament. At 6 over, he’s not in position to make a charge to the top after winning five tournaments already this year. He said he’s having trouble reading greens.

“Another frustrating day,” Scheffler said. “Today was a day where I thought I played a lot better than my score.”

Germany’s Martin Kaymer, who won the U.S. Open on this course 10 years ago, shot 77 and fell to 10 over.