The closest Sam Burns has ever gotten to major championship glory isn’t on the course—it’s by living with a good friend who already has three major titles to his name. That friend? Scottie Scheffler. Inspired by Scheffler's meteoric rise, Burns is determined to join the major winners’ club himself.
On a soaked Saturday at Oakmont, Burns bounced back after a missed short par putt by delivering a gorgeous pitch shot for a tap-in birdie, then calmly navigated two tense downhill putts on the 18th to save par. His 1-under 69 left him at 4-under 206, giving him a one-shot lead over seasoned major contender Adam Scott and J.J. Spaun. Only four players were under par, with Viktor Hovland just a few strokes behind.
Burns, who has five PGA Tour wins, hasn’t lifted a trophy in over two years but is coming off a gut-wrenching playoff loss at the Canadian Open. Now, he’s chasing a much bigger prize—a first major title, which would make him the sixth American under 30 to achieve that feat since 2020. And standing nearby is Scheffler, who has racked up 19 wins globally, including three majors, the latest at last month’s PGA Championship.
“Scottie’s amazing—I probably don’t even need to say it,” Burns chuckled. “We spend a lot of time together. Being able to pick his brain, ask questions, and just learn from him—it’s been really cool.”
But unlike Scheffler’s runaway wins, Sunday’s finish is shaping up to be a thriller.
Adam Scott, who recently clawed back into the top 50 in the world, hasn’t been in serious major contention for nearly seven years. Yet he played a stellar round, birdieing three of his last six holes for a 67, earning a spot in the final group after Spaun bogeyed the 18th from a bunker. Scott, the 2013 Masters champion, is the only major winner in the current top 10. If he wins, it’ll break the record for longest gap—12 years—between first and second major titles.
“Being in this position doesn’t happen by accident,” said Scott. “I haven’t felt like this in five or six years. But if I do pull it off, it’ll be one hell of a round and a major highlight of my career.”
J.J. Spaun, who came up short in a March playoff at The Players, kept pace with Burns deep into the back nine. Matching pars over seven straight holes, Spaun looked unshaken under pressure, carding just two bogeys.
“It was like a game of tug-of-war,” Spaun said. “He’d lead, I’d catch up, then fall behind. But that’s the U.S. Open—you don’t just play your opponent, you play this brutal course. Every shot demands precision.”
Viktor Hovland also stayed in the mix. Despite a tee shot into the bushes on the opening hole and needing a crafty save from a mud-caked cart path, Hovland kept smiling. He rebounded with a birdie off the flagstick at No. 9 and a masterful wedge from deep rough on 17 to set up another birdie. He closed with a bogey for a 70, sitting three shots back.
“I know I’ve got a shot tomorrow,” Hovland said. “If I go low, anything’s possible. But I’ll need to bring my A-game. Adam Scott played flawless golf today.”
Carlos Ortiz pulled off one of the tournament’s most remarkable stretches—30 bogey-free holes. Though the streak ended at the 18th, his 67 has him lurking at even-par 210 and very much in contention.
Scottie Scheffler, meanwhile, has been largely absent from the top tier this week. Despite entering the U.S. Open on a tear—three wins in four starts—he couldn’t build momentum. A flat 70 moved him up the board, but at eight shots back, he’ll need a miracle.
For the USGA, the good news was simple—weather didn't derail the third round. After an inch of overnight rain, the course played softer, but remained treacherous. Divots flew like animal pelts and greens were spongier, but still demanding. At one point, umbrellas and sunshine shared the same scene.
Burns made key birdies—an accurate wedge on No. 5 to a back pin and a dart to 7 feet on the par-3 13th. But the real difference came in saving par when he strayed.
“I didn’t drive it great,” Burns admitted. “But when I was out of position, I managed to fight my way back, get a wedge in hand, and save par. That kept my momentum alive.”
Now, Burns returns to the house he shares with Scheffler, but tonight’s talk won’t be about fairways or flags.
“In the mornings, we’re just hanging out,” Scheffler said. “There are usually two kids running around, not much golf talk. But Sam’s been grinding for this moment—and now he’s got a real shot to win it.”
Description:
"Sam Burns leads the U.S. Open at Oakmont, edging past major champions like Adam Scott and J.J. Spaun in a rain-soaked third round. With Scottie Scheffler as his mentor and fierce competition from Viktor Hovland and Carlos Ortiz, Burns eyes his first major title. Read the full breakdown of Saturday’s high-stakes drama and what's at stake in the final round."