AP
Updated: Jun 17, 2023 / 03:50 PM CDT
Rickie Fowler walks on the 15th hole during the second round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at Los Angeles Country Club on Friday, June 16, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt York)
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Follow along for live updates in the third round of the 123rd U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club.
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SHORTEST PAR 3
The 15th hole at Los Angeles Country Club is playing only 81 yards for the third round, making it the shortest par 3 in U.S. Open history.
The previous shortest par 3 was No. 7 at Pebble Beach Golf Links, which played 92 yards for the final round in 2010. That hole played at 99 yards for the third round that year, making it the fourth-shortest par 3. The third-shortest was No. 13 at Merion (98 yards) in the third round in 2013.
The 15th hole at LACC surrendered three holes-in-one in the first two rounds. Sam Burns and Frenchman Matthieu Pavon aced it in the first round when it played at 124 yards. Defending U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick aced it in the second round when it was shortened to 115 yards.
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WHAT TO KNOW:
—Wild ride puts Fowler in the lead at US Open
—Fan favorite Fowler heads into weekend seeking first major title
—Clark gets a little help from a good friend for US Open at LACC
—Homa, Mickelson, Spieth miss cut at U.S. Open
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THIRD ROUND KICKS OFF UNDER SUNNY SKY
The sun and a slight breeze greeted players in the early going of the third round at the U.S. Open, where halfway leader Rickie Fowler was gearing up for a late-afternoon tee time.
There were birdies available at Los Angeles Country Club. Shane Lowry made four and played the front nine at 4-under 31. Patrick Cantlay and Russell Henley were each 3 under about halfway through their rounds. Cantlay’s surge placed him on the leaderboard, tied for 12th at 2 under for the tournament.
Wyndham Clark, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele and Dustin Johnson were among those within four shots of the lead, with tee times set for late afternoon.
Fowler and Schauffele each shot 62 on opening day — a U.S. Open record that made LACC seem defenseless. In Round 2, scores rose slightly and the sun appeared in the afternoon for the first time this week.
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FOWLER’S ALONE IN THE LEAD
Rickie Fowler has shot a 2-under 68 to take the lead at the midway point of the U.S. Open at 10 under while tying the championship’s 36-hole record of 130.
Fowler needed to birdie the par-4 18th hole at Los Angeles Country Club to break the 36-hole record set by Martin Kaymer at Pinehurst No. 2 in 2014. But he settled for a two-putt par, one of only four pars he made in the second round. Fowler had eight birdies and six bogeys.
The 34-year-old Fowler, from Murrieta about 100 miles south of Los Angeles, is trying to win his first major. He leads Wyndham Clark by one stroke, with Rory McIlroy another shot back.
Fowler and Xander Schauffele each shot 62 in the opening round, breaking the previous U.S. Open record.
Fowler didn’t qualify for the last two U.S. Opens. But he’s been strong this tournament. He opened his second round with three straight birdies to get to 11 under. He then made the first of his six bogeys at No. 4.
Schauffele, who was two groups behind Fowler, made three straight bogeys on the back nine.
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