'Twist Swing' Wolf "I Seized My Chance to Win a Major"... DeChambeau in 2nd Place

120th US Open Day 3 5-Under Par Daily Best, McIlroy 7th, Im Sungjae Tied 34th

Matthew Wolff is taking a shot from the rough on the 17th hole on the third day of the 120th US Open. Mamaroneck, New York, USA = Getty Images / Multibits

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] 'Twist Swing' Matthew Wolff (USA) has seized a chance to win a major.

On the 20th (Korean time), at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York (par 70, 7,477 yards), the 120th US Open, a major on the PGA Tour with a total prize of $12.5 million, Wolff surged to a two-stroke lead (5-under 205) on the third day, posting a daily best of 5-under par. 'The Hulk' Bryson DeChambeau (USA) is in second place (3-under 207), and Louis Oosthuizen (South Africa) is chasing in third place (1-under 209).

Wolff recorded six birdies and one bogey. He swept five birdies on the front nine, including holes 1, 4, 6-7, and 9. Although he had his only bogey on the 16th hole (par 4) on the back nine, he recovered with a birdie on the 18th hole (par 4). It is surprising that his tee shots found the fairway only twice. He operated a 'needle-like iron shot' with a green hit rate of 72.22%, and his 'stingy putting' with an average of 1.50 putts per hole was powerful. He cheered, "I went into the rough every time, but the lie was good."

Wolff turned professional in June last year and immediately caused a sensation by winning his first PGA Tour title at the 3M Open in July. On the final day, he gained even more spotlight by making a dramatic 'winning eagle' on the 18th hole (par 5), just one stroke behind DeChambeau. His unique swing, which involves twisting his left leg just before the swing, also made headlines. He demonstrated his major-winning potential by finishing fourth at the PGA Championship on the 9th of last month.

It is noteworthy that only seven players posted under-par scores that day. Winged Foot is notorious for being a tough course. In fact, Patrick Reed (USA), who started as the leader, lost seven strokes and dropped to a tie for 11th place (3-over 213). The leading group includes Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) in 7th place (1-over 211) and world number one Dustin Johnson (USA) tied for 21st (5-over 215). Korea's Im Sung-jae (22, CJ Logistics) is tied for 34th place (8-over 218).