US Open Golf: Will Zalatoris and Matt Fitzpatrick take the lead after Jon Rahm’s poor finish

Everything went smoothly for Jon Rahm, who seemed headed for the top of the US Open golf qualifiers at the end of Saturday’s session. However, his own mistakes and changes in weather conditions prevented him from reaching that goal and they walked away provisional leaders to the American Will Zalatoris and the British Matt Fitzpatrick.

Rahm, who defends the title at The Country Club, a location located in Brookline, Massachusetts, had scored a fabulous three birdie streak in four holes and he was the only leader when he reached the last stage the third day of competition.

The nightmare for the Spaniard started on the last hole, deflecting his tee shot from the fairway into a bunker. Incredulous, the number two on the PGA ranks witnessed his first shot from the sand hitting the edge of the wall and returning to the same spot. With the next impact he managed to get out of the hole, but the ball ended up landing in another bunker.

Rahm ended up committing a double bugbear, and this brought him down from first to third position, with a final card of 71 strokes (one above par) and 207 accumulated (-3). In any case, this unfortunate closure did not detract from the Spaniard’s chances for the final day, as he was just a shot behind Zalatoris and Fitzpatrick, with 18 exciting holes to play.

“It was a nice ride. The conditions were extremely difficult, the wind was a bit higher and stronger compared to the last few days, a different address. Also, the pitch was a bit firmer, which is a recipe for difficulty, ”she analyzed after a bittersweet Saturday.

The Spaniard aspires to maintain the idyll with the US Open after his 2021 triumph, with which he lifted the brunt of having no Grand Slam.

Zalatoris and Fitzpatrick, facing a unique opportunity

Zalatoris and Fitzpatrick, 4 under 206 each, will not only have to withstand pressure from Rahm on Sunday, but will also have to pay close attention to the other favorites on their heels.

One of the golfers chasing the leaders is the PGA leader, the American Scottie Scheffler, who is in fourth place, two shots away. Meanwhile, the former world number one, the Northern Irishman Rory McIlroyeager to celebrate his first ‘Major’ since 2014, he is in seventh place three shots away.

Zalatoris, number 14 in the world rankings, and Fitzpatrick, 18 in the same list, they must also leave their ghosts behindbecause they are the best positioned players on the PGA who have not yet broken their record.

If one of them were to emerge victorious on Sunday, he would be the first golfer to open his showcase with a Grand Slam since Danny Willett at the Augusta Masters 2016. Both players knocked on the door of a grand trophy.

This Saturday were the golfers who stood up best to the adverse conditions at the Country Club, located in a suburb west of Boston. Zalatoris, runner-up at the Augusta Masters 2021, was the holder of the best result of the day with 67 strokes (-3). “I knew I was going to play hard and I just had to be patient,” he said.

For his part, Fitzpatrick, who signed a 68-stroke card (-2), remarked that “the wind was very strong” and that this made the activity “difficult”. “You had to be aware of how you hit, where you missed, and I think that’s why it was such a challenge,” he added.

The day had begun with the command in the hands of the well-known himself Colin Morikawareigning champion of the British Open, who immediately gave up the lead with a sensational round of 77 strokes (+7).

Morikawa’s fall was first exploited by Scheffler, who became the leader thanks to a spectacular eagle on the eighth hole. The winner of the last Augusta Masters, however, also succumbed to the wind in the second part of the course with a double bogey and three bogeys.

This Sunday everything will start to be defined from 9.49 in our country, with the departure of local golfers Stewart Hagestad and Harris English.

With information from AFP and EFE.