Robert MacIntyre has ‘100 per cent' belief he can win the US Open
Robert MacIntyre has '100 per cent' belief he can win the US Open after an impressive third round at Oakmont.
MacIntyre described his opening round level-par 70 as one of the best of his life, but he bettered it just 48 hours later.
The Scot, from Oban, put in a controlled performance to card a 69, to sit on three over, six shots behind leaders Sam Burns and JJ Spaun when they were midway through their third round.
It might have been even better for MacIntyre as he had got down to one over after 12 holes but a spate of bogeys in the final six holes saw him drift back out.
But he still believes he is in contention win a first major.
Asked if he can win, he replied: 'One hundred per cent. I wouldn't be here if I didn't believe that, it's a simple answer, yes.
'I'm just delighted to be in it, going into tomorrow if I can shoot the number I know I can shoot then why can't it be me?
'I have been playing really well this year, another round to go, I have put three solid rounds together so far.
'Tomorrow I have got to go out there, give it my best, don't try and focus too much on trying to win, just go out there, hit the shots, then come 15, 16, see where are sitting and decide whether to roll the dice or not.'
Heavy rain overnight and throughout the morning had made the brutal Oakmont course slightly more playable but it still presented its challenges.
'It was still difficult,' MacIntyre added. 'It is a little bit softer so when you're on the fairway it gives you more of an opportunity, but I think the rough is even thicker with the water.
'I felt there was a low number with the way I was playing, I was playing beautifully out there.
'The key to this golf course is just be on the fairway. It is the priority and then you can go from there.'
Tyrrell Hatton's making a move!Birdie on 12 followed up by this beautiful tee shot on 13.
He's now even par and 3 behind the leaders. pic.twitter.com/2HpZ39iE2G — U.S. Open (@usopengolf) June 14, 2025
Tyrrell Hatton was also presenting British interest as a spate of birdies propelled him up the leaderboard.
The 33-year-old Englishman, who started on three over, went one under at the 10th, 11th and 12th to move up level par midway through the third round.
It is as you were for world number one Scottie Scheffler, who carded an even-par 70.
Scheffler maintained he was still in contention after Friday's second round but failed to make any ground on the leaders, his three birdies cancelled out by three bogeys.
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The statistics of the four players under par so far in this tournament make for fascinating reading as each one is excelling in different fields. Sam Burns, the leader, has been the second best in the field with his approach play and around the greens, but ranks 53rd out of 66 off the tee. Adam Scott has meanwhile been the best player off the tee but has struggled around the greens. JJ Spaun has been the best putter in the field, while Viktor Hovland's approach play has been the best — although he has been poor off the tee and putting. Rick Broadbent, Oakmont Golf, and golfers, do not help themselves sometimes. Tron Carter, of No Laying Up podcast, was the first to report that Wyndham Clark, the 2023 US Open champion, had trashed his locker after missing the cut here. A photo is now doing the rounds on social media. The Times has sought confirmation from his management, while the USGA refused to confirm or deny the report. If he is guilty then why keep it in-house? 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Sam Burns comes into the day on four under and with a one-shot lead over Adam Scott and JJ Spaun, while Viktor Hovland and Tyrrell Hatton are also in the chasing pack. On a course where shots are so tough to gain and even easier to lose, that could change very quickly. Stay with us for updates and Rick Broadbent's expert analysis from Oakmont.
