Jamie Kirby
Five-time runner-up Phil Mickleson will go into the final day at Merion as the only player under par, after Brits Donald and Rose falter in the 113th US Open.
Despite dropping a shot at the last hole, as the 18th failed to see any birdies all day, Mickleson was able to hold his nerve amongst a field of mistakes on the home straight. The British pair, along with fellow contenders Charl Schwartzel and Hunter Mahan, dropped shots at both the 17th and 18th leaving Mickleson as the only player with a shot under par.
Having evaded him on many occasions, a US Open win remains the chip in what has been a fine career for the left-handed American. Though a four-time major winner, Mickleson’s failure to win his home competition has led to comparisons with Colin Montgomerie – the Scot who, despite consistent European success, was never able to credit his CV with a major.
Consistency has been the key to this championship as a strong short game again reaps rewards on a course that prizes accuracy and patience over power and flair. The choice of Merion to host the tournament raised eyebrows due to its absence since 1971, its minute surface area and its length – measuring below 7,000 yards. As pundits focused on this point, suggesting that perhaps the record low round score of 63 for a round on a major golf course could be beaten, this claim was sharply refuted by the pros, as the scores show that size is not a substitute for stature.
Smart iron-play and strong putting have been emphasised since Luke Donald held the world number one ranking throughout most of 2012 and remains in contention at Merion as he hunts for a first major title. However, having thrown away chances to take the lead outright at the 12th and 16th on the third day he was made to pay as he dropped three shots on the final two holes. A similar fate awaited Justin Rose, as both went in at one over par while Ian Poulter, the only remaining Brit in contention at the start of play, finished three over for the day leaving an unrealistic six shot deficit.
Of the few in the chasing pack to gain shots on day three Mahan and Schwartzel have joined Steve Stricker on level par overall while Jason Day and Rickie Fowler finished two and three under respectively leaving themselves with outside chances. Billy Horschel rounds off the leaders though he dropped to one-over with a round of 72.
Meanwhile Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, top seeds for the event, dropped out of contention definitively; as Woods recorded his worst ever round in a major with six over par. McIlroy finished one better but he sits at 8 over par, unable to repeat his championship glory of two years ago.
For Mickleson, so far, composure has been of the essence as he arrived relaxed at Merion on the morning of the first day after an overnight flight from his daughter’s graduation. On a course that gives little away, the leading pack will be hoping just to hold on to the scores they have, with a calm and composed approach to play likely to be rewarded at Merion today.