2023 US Open leaderboard: Latest updates as Rory McIlroy starts ...
The third major of the year begins with Rory McIlroy, Brooks Koepka and Scottie Scheffler vying for victory
PGA Players Feel Betrayed By LIV Merger
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California plays host to the third major of the golfing year as a strong field takes to the course at Los Angeles Country Club for the 2023 US Open this week.
It is the first time in 75 years that the US Open is being played in the city with LA Country Club hosting the event for the first time. A challenging layout is expected for the players with low scores unlikely as the Californian course looks to test the contenders across four demanding rounds.
Brooks Koepka is among the favourites to back up his victory in the US PGA Championship but will face stern competition from the likes of world no.1 Scottie Scheffler and Masters champion Jon Rahm. Rory McIlroy cannot be discounted while Matt Fitzpatrick will be hoping to produce his best golf as he bids to defend his US Open title.
The unexpected news of a merger between the controversial Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series and the PGA Tour only adds to the anticipation though it will be a while before the full ramifications of the merger are realised.
Follow all the action from the 123rd US Open:
Harman -5 (13)
Harman takes a three wood off the fairway into the long par-four 13th but it ends up in the rough and from there, it’s a tough ask. He’s unable to save par and he drops back to five under with McIlroy and Clark.
Ben Fleming16 June 2023 01:36
Smith -1 (13), Bennett -3 (13), Fitzpatrick +1 (13)
Ahead of McIlroy and Koepka, Smith gets himself in some trouble off the tee and can’t save his par. He drops back to one under par. Sam Bennett and Matt Fitzpatrick both do well to save their respective pars with good medium-range putts, however.
Ben Fleming16 June 2023 01:31
Clark -5 (14), Johnson -4 (13*)
Clark bounces back from his bogey on 13 and takes advantage of the par-five 14th to move back alongside McIlroy at five under.
Dustin Johnson is certainly another going about his business in a promising manner. A birdie at the first followed by another at three has him up to four under and into a tie for sixth.
Ben Fleming16 June 2023 01:27
McIlroy -5 (12), Koepka +1 (12), Matsuyama +2 (12)
Another green hit in regulation for Rory but he can’t quite get the line on his downhill right-to-left putt and it’s another par. Koepka’s drive ended up in the left rough with his second flying over the back.
It sits down again but a nerveless putt from the American to save his par
Ben Fleming16 June 2023 01:24
Mickelson -2 (15*)
An uncharacteristic mistake from Phil with the short iron leaves him all kinds of bother to just make bogey. He’s able to do so and a small fist pump tells you he knows how important that waa to avoid a double bogey.
Ben Fleming16 June 2023 01:22
Hughes -3 (10*)
A very solid start to the US Open for Canada’s Mackenzie Hughes. A bogey-free first nine is followed by a regulation birding on the par-five first. He’s up to three under and a tie for eighth.
Ben Fleming16 June 2023 01:15
McIlroy -5 (11), Koepka +1 (11), Matsuyama +2 (11)
The long 11th is not to be messed with and McIlroy and Koepka both take care of the par three with pars.
Matsuyama is in all sorts of bother in the front bunker and the Japanese star makes a costly double-bogey five.
Ben Fleming16 June 2023 01:11
Clark -4 (13)
It’s been a great afternoon for Clark but he gives one back to the course after a wayward second and he’s back with Harris English at four under.
Ben Fleming16 June 2023 00:56
Mickelson -3 (13*), Harrington +2 (13*), Bradley +3 (13*)
My oh my, Phil is on the charge with back-to-back birdies. If the last one was a tap-in, then this one is anything but as the ball drops after travelling just under 50 feet to the hole.
Harrington and Bradley both make par.
Ben Fleming16 June 2023 00:50
Smith -2 (11), Bennett -3 (11), Fitzpatrick +1 (11)
Sam Bennett has only been a professional a matter of months but he’s outperforming the two major champions in his group today. A nice birdie on eleven moves him to three under par and a tie for seventh.
Fitzpatrick looks frustrated with his birdie putt that trickles past as Smith also makes par.
Ben Fleming16 June 2023 00:46
