SAN DIEGO, California. – Perennial major contender Louis Oosthuizen sank a monster eagle putt at the final hole to vault into a three-way tie for the lead after the third round at the US Open on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).
South African Oosthuizen’s downhill 50-footer slammed into the middle of the flag and toppled in to add another layer of fascination to what already was shaping up to be a compelling final round Sunday at Torrey Pines.
With a one-under-par 70, Oosthuizen joined surprising Canadian Mackenzie Hughes (68) and steady American Russell Henley (71) at five-under 208.
But the three frontrunners did not have to look far over their shoulders to see heavyweights Rory McIlroy (67) and Bryson DeChambeau (68) waiting to pounce just two strokes behind.
Pre-championship Jon Rahm (72), despite a double-bogey, is among a trio three behind.
Thirteen players in all are within four shots of the lead.
Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open champion, has completed the career runner-up grand slam, and just last month was equal second behind Phil Mickelson at the PGA Championship.
Now he has another chance but knows it will take something special.
“There’s a lot of great players up there that have a chance of winning this, and I just need to go out and play as good as I can tomorrow,” he said.
Henley started the day tied for the lead with Richard Bland, and maintained at least a share of it the entire day.
“I’m 32, I don’t know how many more good years I have of golf left,” said the three-time PGA Tour winner. “I’m excited, and you always wonder what it would feel like or be like to be in contention.”
He will find out soon enough.
Hughes, meanwhile, vaulted into contention by holing a 35-foot bunker shot at the par-five 13th that prompted an enormous gallery roar that reverberated across the canyons to the rest of the course.
In uncharted territory, he did not even attempt to downplay the situation.
“You get goosebumps thinking about it, so I know I’m going to be nervous tomorrow,” he said.
“I essentially played today around the lead all day. I think I was only ever a few back the entire day. I think it’ll feel different tomorrow being in that last group, but you do the same things.”
While Hughes surged, halfway co-leader Bland’s fairytale run came to a screeching halt.
The 48-year-old who recently became the oldest winner on the European Tour, battled to a 77 that left him six behind.
