US Open: Sam Burns Leads as Rory McIlroy Falls Behind

US Open leader Sam Burns tees off in the third round with a one-shot lead, while Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler struggle to keep pace.

Sam Burns, seeking his first major title, tees off in the third round with a one-shot lead over J.J. Spaun at Oakmont Country Club. Burns, a five-time PGA Tour winner, is three under par, while Viktor Hovland trails two shots back in third place.

Rory McIlroy had a tough day, carding a four-over-par 74 that left him 13 strokes behind Burns. McIlroy struggled with bogeys on three of his last five holes and admitted his tournament has been “pretty average” so far. “The name of the game this week is staying patient,” McIlroy said.

Tied at the top.

J.J. Spaun and Sam Burns start the back nine. pic.twitter.com/DZ8WO3BJFi

— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) June 14, 2025

Scottie Scheffler is also having a tough time, eight shots behind Burns after a mixed performance. Scheffler had two birdies and three bogeys in his first eight holes, including a three-putt bogey on the first hole. Xander Schauffele, ranked third in the world, shot a 71, putting him seven strokes over.

Viktor Hovland tees off in the penultimate pairing with Adam Scott, two shots off the pace and the only other player under par. Scott is a further shot back, tied for fourth with Ben Griffin.

Early starter Sam Stevens made a promising start, with two birdies in his first four holes, and was nearing the turn at one over.

Scottie Scheffler struggled, carding three bogeys and two birdies in his first 11 holes, leaving him eight shots behind leader Sam Burns.

Rory McIlroy carded a four-over-par 74, leaving him 13 shots behind leader Sam Burns. McIlroy started the day nine shots off the lead.

“The name of the game this week is staying patient and try to do a good job of it out there, but it's one of those golf courses that you can lose patience on pretty quickly,” McIlroy said. “I was hoping to play better but I didn't.”

Early starters at Oakmont Country Club faced a waterlogged course after overnight rain, with iron shots spraying water from the narrow fairways.