AP
Updated: Jun 18, 2023 / 05:06 PM CDT
Rickie Fowler’s water bottle sits near his bag during the third round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Los Angeles Country Club on Saturday, June 17, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Follow along for live updates in the final round of the 123rd U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club.
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CLARK’S IN THE LEAD
The last group is on the course for the final round of the U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club, and Wyndham Clark has birdied the par-5 first hole to take a one-shot lead over Rickie Fowler and Rory McIlroy.
Clark hit a beautiful chip from just off the green to within 2 1/2 feet to set up his birdie. Fowler, who shared the third-round lead with Clark at 10-under, parred the first hole. They’re both looking for their first major win.
Four-time major winner McIlroy also birdied the opening hole. McIlroy just missed his 33-foot try for eagle.
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WHAT TO KNOW:
— Fowler, McIlroy, Scheffler headline the final round in a U.S. Open full of possibilities
— Late three-putt drops Fowler into tie for lead heading into final round
— Dark finish perplexes U.S. Open co-leader Clark
— Scheffler gets into mix with late-round fireworks
— Unknown Nagano making a name for himself with great play at the U.S. Open
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TOMMY’S CHARGE
Tommy Fleetwood is on his way to another low number at the U.S. Open.
Fleetwood holed a long eagle putt on the par-5 14th hole for his second eagle of the round. He’s now at 8-under par for his round with three holes remaining. The closing three holes are among the toughest at Los Angeles Country Club. Even so, he has a chance to join the barrage of record scoring for this U.S. Open.
Fleetwood five years ago matched the U.S. Open record with a 63 in the final round at Shinnecock Hills. That’s no longer the record because Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele each had a 62 in the first round at LACC.
The sun was trying to break through the marine layer over Beverly Hills with the leaders still 30 minutes away from starting the final round.
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UP FOR GRABS
The U.S. Open is up for grabs, and there are low scores available early in the final round.
At about the same time co-leaders Rickie Fowler and Wyndham Clark were arriving at Los Angeles Country Club for their afternoon tee times, PGA Tour rookie Austin Eckroat was making the turn after a record-tying 29 on the front nine.
Eckroat eagled the par-5 eighth hole to post the sixth 29 in U.S. Open history. The fifth came a day earlier by Tom Kim.
Eckroat vaulted into eighth place as he headed to the back nine. He was still six shots behind Clark and Fowler, each of whom will start at 10 under and are seeking their first major title.
One shot behind the leaders is Rory McIlroy, who is looking for his first major since 2014. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler starts the day three shots out of the lead.
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