Lowry leads by two after day three at Oakmont
Shane Lowry of Ireland will hold a two-shot lead heading into day four of the US Open at Oakmont Sunday after hitting four birdies on the front nine to reach five-under par before play was suspended at 8.49pm local time.
Lowry still has four holes to play in his third round early on Sunday and is one of seven players near the top of the US Open leaderboard vying for a first major title.
First-round leader Andrew Landry lies two shots back with five holes of his third round to play, while Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, and Lee Westwood are one shot further back at two under.
South Africa’s Branden Grace, who was also in contention last year at Chambers Bay, has the clubhouse lead at one-under par after posting a third round 66.
World number one Jason Day lies six shots off the pace at one-over par after also shooting a 66. Day has fought his way back into contention following an opening 76, but will need all his renowned fighting qualities come Sunday if he is to challenge for the title.
Lowry, 29, came into Oakmont after missing the cut at the BMW PGA Championship and said he was just looking for some consistency.
"I just need to put four (rounds) together," said Lowry. "As soon as I put four of them together, I think it will be close enough.
"I've beaten a field of this quality already so there's no reason I can't do it again tomorrow. I feel very comfortable out there.”
Should he win on Sunday he would be the first golfer from the republic to win a US Open.
Day, meanwhile, said he is looking forward to Sunday and was feeling optimistic.
"Shoot anything under par here, you're definitely moving up a lot," said Day. "The first round kind of killed me here. But, hopefully, I give myself an opportunity tomorrow."
He added that he was happy to be in the clubhouse.
"(The leaders are) going to be waking up around 5 a.m. as well (to) play the rest of their holes," he said.
"It's going to be warm tomorrow and then to have to come back and play 18 holes in the afternoon. So that may (be) physically and mentally a little bit tougher on those guys."
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