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Being three strokes ahead on an extremely difficult course can be looked at from two perspectives. (i) it is difficult to make up many strokes from the perspective of the pursuers making a bunch of birdies, and (ii) on such a tricky course, shots can be lost so easily that three strokes is nothing.
So, depending on whether you’re an optimist or a pessimist, as optimistic as Rory McIlroy’s chances are to catch Bryson DeChambeau’s lead in tonight’s final round at Pinehurst, there’s speculation that many golfers won’t be in a rush to return to this course (at least not once it’s set up this week).
McIlroy went into this year’s U.S. Open saying he felt he had never come close to breaking his decade-long drought in major championships. His first three rounds in North Carolina showed that belief was not unfounded. He played very well, his long putts and short game were excellent, and the gap between him and the American was very small.
But DeChambeau has been just a notch above the rest of the field over the past three days, and one suspects that if the “Mad Scientist” doesn’t win his second U.S. Open and major championship, it may be more about mistakes than comebacks.
Whatever happens, McIlroy will enjoy the pressure and the fun.
“I accept the questions that golf courses throw at you,” McIlroy said. “It tests your chipping skills. It tests your putting skills. It tests your mental endurance more than any other golf tournament, obviously.”
“It’s a style of golf that I’ve started to try and embrace over the last few years.
“I’m in pretty much the same position as last year going into the final day, and hopefully I can play a little bit more golf,” he added, referring to his runner-up finish at the 2023 U.S. Open.
Stay tuned to see if the Northern Irishman can break the decade-long record and follow all the action at Pinehurst 2.
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