DeChambeau Tied 4th "Going for Major Title Defense"... What About McIlroy?

121st US Open Day 3: 3-Under Par Surge, Close to Co-Leaders Including Huhs, Oosthuizen, Henry, and More, Im Sungjae Tied 14th

Bryson DeChambeau is teeing off on the 4th hole on the third day of the 121st US Open. San Diego, USA - Getty Images / Photo by Multibits

[Asia Economy Golf Specialist Reporter Kim Hyun-jun] "Tied 60th → Tied 13th → Tied 4th."

‘The Hulk’ Bryson DeChambeau (USA) has finally entered the winning zone. On the 20th (Korean time), at the Torrey Pines Golf Course South Course (Par 71, 7,652 yards) in San Diego, California, USA, during the third day of the 121st US Open, a PGA Tour major with a total prize of $12.5 million, he added 3 under par to rise to a tie for 4th place (3 under par 210 strokes). He is just 2 strokes behind the co-leaders Mackenzie Hughes (Canada), Louis Oosthuizen (South Africa), and Russell Henley (USA) who are at 5 under par 208 strokes, making the final 4th round even more intense.

For DeChambeau, this is especially a title defense. Last September, delayed by three months due to COVID-19, he achieved a 6-stroke victory at the notoriously difficult Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York. This year, after a 2-over-par first round, he recovered with a 2-under-par second round and continued his upward trend with a 3-under-par third round. He made 3 birdies on holes 1, 6, and 13, and notably showed an impressive green hit rate of 83.33%, demonstrating precise striking. He also complemented this with an average of 1.67 putts per hole, showing excellent putting consistency.

It is interesting that Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland), the Wells Fargo Championship champion, joined the tie for 4th place by posting a daily best 4-under-par. After struggling with shaky iron shots and a 2-over-par the previous day, he bounced back with 5 birdies and 1 bogey for a 4-under-par round. Attention should be paid to the fact that DeChambeau led the 2021 season in driving distance (322.7 yards), with McIlroy ranking second (318.6 yards). This is truly a showdown between power hitters.

The leaders include Jon Rahm (Spain) tied for 6th (2 under par 211 strokes) and world number one Dustin Johnson (USA) tied for 9th (1 under par 212 strokes). Im Sung-jae (23) is tied for 14th (even par 213 strokes), and Kim Si-woo (26, both from CJ Logistics) is tied for 31st (3 over par 216 strokes), both looking for opportunities. Richard Bland (England), the oldest 36-hole leader in US Open history, slipped to a tie for 21st (1 over par 214 strokes) after struggling with 6 over par. Phil Mickelson (USA) also remained tied for 63rd (7 over par 220 strokes).