Suddenly, It’s the Bryson DeChambeau Show as He Leads U.S. Open Headed Into Final Round

PINEHURST, N.C. - Bryson DeChambeau has been nothing if not polarizing during his time in professional golf. In his PGA Tour days he had public squabbles with other golfers, and seemed a constant irritant to many fans. And it all got even worse when he joined the hyper-polarizing LIV Tour.

But maybe that change in the spotlight has been good for the 2020 U.S. Open champion, as he managed to have one of the best rounds of the day in Saturday's third round of the 2024 U.S. Open, and now leads heading into the final round.

DeChambeau had six birdies on his card, shooting a 3-under, 67. That puts him at 7-under overall, and three shots ahead of a group of three golfers three shots back at 4-under. DeChambeau also became the first golfer ever to shoot the first three rounds at a U.S. Open at Pinehurst in the 60s.

The leader heading into the weekend, Ludvig Aberg, had a disastrous triple-bogey on the 13th hole, and drifted back to a 3-over, 73. He's still in contention but sits tied for fifth at 2-under.

But Pinehurst No. 2 doesn't hold back, and the trio of golfers at 4-under know they still have a chance. Especially Rory McIlroy, who has done this before. He had a 1-under, 69 in the third round, and is lurking.

Patrick Cantlay and Matthieu Pavon are the others tied at 4-under, after rounds of 70 and 69 respectively. They are among the group of only eight golfers under par heading into the final round. Pavon will join DeChambeau in the final pairing on Sunday, followed by McIlroy and Cantlay.

Sunday's final round will present plenty of tests. The weather should be more of the same hot, dry conditions as we've seen all week. But the more days in a row that Pinehurst No. 2 has to get firmer, the harder it gets. And don't think for a second that USGA officials will give any breaks with pin placements.

If Bryson DeChambeau has his way, the course won't matter, and he'll be lifting the trophy at a U.S. Open for the second time. Polarization be damned.

PINEHURST, N.C. - Golf has seen a bit of an upswing with fans in recent years, and this week the fans have shown just how much, as they turned out in big ways for the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 in North Carolina.

The USGA estimated that 250,000 people will make their way around the course this week, and even with blazing heat and humidity, that seemed like an underestimated number on Saturday.

Even without Tiger Woods around for the weekend, or the world's best golfer, Scottie Scheffler, in contention, the fans weren't dissuaded.

Pinehurst No. 2 has homes lining many of the holes, and enterprising groups have made the most of that, with party decks and celebrations happening to see over the temporary blackout fencing.

Saturday, the biggest crowds gathered around Bryson DeChambeau and Ludvig Aberg in the final pairing. And while the cheers were plenty loud for Aberg, it was DeChambeau that was getting the biggest support. At one point, DeChambeau actually apologized to fans for putting his driver back in his bag, and taking a safer approach with a long-iron.

Sunday will see another scorching day on the course, with DeChambeau looking solid to be in the hunt for another U.S. Open championship. If that does happen, the fans at Pinehurst No. 2 should be plenty happy.