OAKMONT, PA. The top ten players on the leaderboard at the 125th US Open features only one player — Adam Scott — who has won a previous major championship.
Pre-tournament favorite and world ranked number one player Scottie Scheffler remains in contention but will need a superlative final round and an array of circumstances tied to the failures of a number of players that are ahead of him with one round to play Sunday.
The track record of Oakmont in previous major championships played there (ten US Opens and three PGA Championships) is littered with superior players. But the winner who emerges Sunday could be a player with a far lesser pedigree.
Eight of the top 25 ranked players in the world missed the 36 hole cut.
Only eight golfers ranked in the top 25 in the world are among the top 21 with one round to play Sunday.
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Men’s top 25 world’s golf ranking and how they have scored at Oakmont
#1 -Scottie Scheffler (+4) / = 214
#2 – Rory McIlroy (+10) / = 220
#3 – Xander Schauffele (+7) / = 217
#4 -Collin Morikawa (+8) / = 218
#5 – Justin Thomas = MC
#6– Ludvig Åberg = MC
#7- Russel Henley (+4) / = 214
#8- Sepp Straka = MC
#9- Hideki Matsuyama (+14) / = 224
#10- Bryson DeChambeau = MC
#11- Maverick McNeely (+7) / = 217
#12- Shane Lowry = MC
#13- Tommy Fleetwood = MC
#14- Viktor Hovland (-1) / = 209
#15- Ben Griffin (+4) / = 214
#16- Patrick Cantlay = MC
#17- Harris English (+14) / = 224
#18- Keegan Bradley (+5) / = 215
#19- Justin Rose = MC
#20- Robert McIntyre (+3) / = 213
#21- Corey Connors (+8) / = 218
#22- Sam Burns (-4) / 206
#23- Sungjae Im (+11) / 221
#24- Tyrrell Hatton (+1) / = 211
#25- J.J. Spaun (-3) / = 207
Related: Can Adam Scott become third Aussie to win US Open?
M. James Ward
A long-time member of both the GWAA and MGWA. The 68-year-old has covered all facets in golf since 1980 — including reporting on over 100 major championships and 13 Ryder Cup matches. His writings have appeared in various outlets. On a personal level, has played over 2,000 courses globally and is lead reviewer for Top 100 Golf Courses.
Previously served for 17 years as national course rating panelist for Golf Digest. Has also personally competed in USGA Championships. Resides in the metro New York City area with his wife Celeste. Favorite quote paraphrased for golf — “You are what your golf score says you are.”