Storm slows Adam Scott's stirring US Open title quest
A storm has stalled Adam Scott's push for US Open glory in Pennsylvania.
The siren sounded to signal the suspension of play during the final round as Scott and his final-group partner Sam Burns were about to tackle the monster 301-yard par-3 eighth hole at Oakmont Country Club.
The pair were in the midst of an engrossing Sunday tussle, with Burns still holding a one-shot lead over Scott, as he did when the pair hit off.
Gusting winds made for some of the toughest conditions of the week even before a deluge left the greens waterlogged.
No players still on the course were under par for their rounds, with Burns and Scott both dropping two shots in their opening seven holes.
Bidding to become the oldest US Open champion since Hale Irwin in 1990, 44-year-old Scott made a nervy start with a bogey on the first and third holes.
Australia's former world No.1 steadied with a near-eagle at the par-5 fourth to gain a share of the lead with Burns before a sloppy three-putt bogey on No.6 left Scott one back again.
Like the entire field, Burns had his own troubles with dropped shots on the third and fifth holes to slip back from his overnight four-under score to two under.
He and Scott were the only players in red numbers after American JJ Spaun, who started the round level with Scott at three under, leaked five shots in his first eight holes to tumble to two over.
Burns and Scott backing up early gave their chasers some hope.
Englishman Tyrrell Hatton was the biggest mover, negotiating his first eight holes in even par to remain at one over and pull within three strokes of Burns' lead.
Norwegian superstar Viktor Hovland was tied for third with Hatton, while Mexican Carlos Ortiz and Spaun were a further shot back in equal fifth.
Scotland's Bob McIntyre was relishing the tough conditions, moving to three over through 10 holes and right in the mix.
Spanish ace Jon Rahm had the clubhouse lead at four over for the championship after finishing his final-round 67 with with three straight birdies.
Should Scott go on to win, the 2013 Masters champion would also enter the history books for the longest wait by a player between their first and second major championship triumphs.
He would also join five-times British Open winner Peter Thomson, his idol Greg Norman, who claimed the Claret Jug twice, and David Graham as only the fourth Australian man to capture multiple major championships.
The popular Queenslander would also join Graham, the 1979 PGA Championship and 1981 US Open champion, as the only Aussie to snare both his majors in America.
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The Advertiser
6 hours ago
- The Advertiser
100 not out: Scott's consolation after US Open crash
Exemption to a magnificent 100th consecutive major championship is the silver lining to Adam Scott's latest crushing collapse. Scott's late fade in "near unplayable" conditions from a share of the lead on the 12th hole to a tie for 12th at the US Open adds to the list of agonising finishes for Australia's former world No.1. It was not quite as dramatic as Scott's meltdown at Royal Lytham in 2012, when he had one hand on the famous Claret Jug only to blow a four-shot lead with four holes to play to gift Ernie Els the British Open trophy. His latest near miss was more a death by a thousand cuts as the beastly Oakmont Country Club lived up to its reputation as the most demanding course on the US Open rota. Scottish runner-up Robert MacIntyre was the only player on the water-logged course after a 68-minute storm-forced suspension to shoot under par during the final round. Playing in the final group, Scott and third-round leader Sam Burns carded 79 and 78 respectively. 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But in a small consolation that will have big ramifications for his legacy, Scott is guaranteed a start at next year's Open at Shinnecock Hills courtesy of his top-12 finish in Pennsylvania. After teeing it up for 96 straight majors, the longest streak among active players, Scott is exempt for next month's British Open as well as the 2026 Masters and PGA Championship. At least he won't be left stranded on 99. Exemption to a magnificent 100th consecutive major championship is the silver lining to Adam Scott's latest crushing collapse. Scott's late fade in "near unplayable" conditions from a share of the lead on the 12th hole to a tie for 12th at the US Open adds to the list of agonising finishes for Australia's former world No.1. It was not quite as dramatic as Scott's meltdown at Royal Lytham in 2012, when he had one hand on the famous Claret Jug only to blow a four-shot lead with four holes to play to gift Ernie Els the British Open trophy. His latest near miss was more a death by a thousand cuts as the beastly Oakmont Country Club lived up to its reputation as the most demanding course on the US Open rota. Scottish runner-up Robert MacIntyre was the only player on the water-logged course after a 68-minute storm-forced suspension to shoot under par during the final round. Playing in the final group, Scott and third-round leader Sam Burns carded 79 and 78 respectively. Yet both were still right in the thick of contention, just one stroke off the lead, before having their winning chances dashed on the 15th hole. "We must have looked horrible, both of us playing like that," Scott said. "But that's what can happen in these things. If you get a little off, you're just severely punished. "It just wasn't easy out there. All things being equal, it's Sunday of the US Open, one of the hardest set-ups and the conditions were the hardest of the week. "Thank God it wasn't like this all week. Once the fairways were soaked, it was very hard controlling the golf ball. "The course just couldn't take much more water really. It was borderline unplayable." After driving supremely all week, when he joined Curtis Strange and Shane Lowry as only the third player in history to start a US Open at Oakmont with three rounds of 70 or better, Scott lamented missing too many fairways on Sunday (Monday AEST). "I felt better before the rain delay, that's for sure," Scott said. "I went back out feeling okay but then I left every tee shot to the right coming in, and that was impossible to recover from almost. "I didn't adapt to those conditions well enough. The water was so close to the surface. Like the shot I hit on 11, it's bizarre. I just don't know, it was like an aquaplane on the ground. "It's a tough call, but we played. Everyone had to deal with it." 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Exemption to a magnificent 100th consecutive major championship is the silver lining to Adam Scott's latest crushing collapse. Scott's late fade in "near unplayable" conditions from a share of the lead on the 12th hole to a tie for 12th at the US Open adds to the list of agonising finishes for Australia's former world No.1. It was not quite as dramatic as Scott's meltdown at Royal Lytham in 2012, when he had one hand on the famous Claret Jug only to blow a four-shot lead with four holes to play to gift Ernie Els the British Open trophy. His latest near miss was more a death by a thousand cuts as the beastly Oakmont Country Club lived up to its reputation as the most demanding course on the US Open rota. Scottish runner-up Robert MacIntyre was the only player on the water-logged course after a 68-minute storm-forced suspension to shoot under par during the final round. Playing in the final group, Scott and third-round leader Sam Burns carded 79 and 78 respectively. Yet both were still right in the thick of contention, just one stroke off the lead, before having their winning chances dashed on the 15th hole. "We must have looked horrible, both of us playing like that," Scott said. "But that's what can happen in these things. If you get a little off, you're just severely punished. "It just wasn't easy out there. All things being equal, it's Sunday of the US Open, one of the hardest set-ups and the conditions were the hardest of the week. "Thank God it wasn't like this all week. Once the fairways were soaked, it was very hard controlling the golf ball. "The course just couldn't take much more water really. It was borderline unplayable." After driving supremely all week, when he joined Curtis Strange and Shane Lowry as only the third player in history to start a US Open at Oakmont with three rounds of 70 or better, Scott lamented missing too many fairways on Sunday (Monday AEST). "I felt better before the rain delay, that's for sure," Scott said. "I went back out feeling okay but then I left every tee shot to the right coming in, and that was impossible to recover from almost. "I didn't adapt to those conditions well enough. The water was so close to the surface. Like the shot I hit on 11, it's bizarre. I just don't know, it was like an aquaplane on the ground. "It's a tough call, but we played. Everyone had to deal with it." Turning 45 next month, Scott had been bidding to become the oldest US Open champion since Hale Irwin in 1990, and the second-oldest winner ever. He would also have joined five-times British Open winner Peter Thomson, his idol Greg Norman, who claimed the Claret Jug twice, and David Graham as only the fourth Australian man to capture multiple major championships. The popular Queenslander had the chance to follow Graham, the 1979 PGA Championship and 1981 US Open champion, as the only Aussie to snare two majors in America. Alas, the golfing gods once again conspired against him. But in a small consolation that will have big ramifications for his legacy, Scott is guaranteed a start at next year's Open at Shinnecock Hills courtesy of his top-12 finish in Pennsylvania. After teeing it up for 96 straight majors, the longest streak among active players, Scott is exempt for next month's British Open as well as the 2026 Masters and PGA Championship. At least he won't be left stranded on 99. Exemption to a magnificent 100th consecutive major championship is the silver lining to Adam Scott's latest crushing collapse. Scott's late fade in "near unplayable" conditions from a share of the lead on the 12th hole to a tie for 12th at the US Open adds to the list of agonising finishes for Australia's former world No.1. It was not quite as dramatic as Scott's meltdown at Royal Lytham in 2012, when he had one hand on the famous Claret Jug only to blow a four-shot lead with four holes to play to gift Ernie Els the British Open trophy. His latest near miss was more a death by a thousand cuts as the beastly Oakmont Country Club lived up to its reputation as the most demanding course on the US Open rota. Scottish runner-up Robert MacIntyre was the only player on the water-logged course after a 68-minute storm-forced suspension to shoot under par during the final round. Playing in the final group, Scott and third-round leader Sam Burns carded 79 and 78 respectively. Yet both were still right in the thick of contention, just one stroke off the lead, before having their winning chances dashed on the 15th hole. "We must have looked horrible, both of us playing like that," Scott said. "But that's what can happen in these things. If you get a little off, you're just severely punished. "It just wasn't easy out there. All things being equal, it's Sunday of the US Open, one of the hardest set-ups and the conditions were the hardest of the week. "Thank God it wasn't like this all week. Once the fairways were soaked, it was very hard controlling the golf ball. "The course just couldn't take much more water really. It was borderline unplayable." After driving supremely all week, when he joined Curtis Strange and Shane Lowry as only the third player in history to start a US Open at Oakmont with three rounds of 70 or better, Scott lamented missing too many fairways on Sunday (Monday AEST). "I felt better before the rain delay, that's for sure," Scott said. "I went back out feeling okay but then I left every tee shot to the right coming in, and that was impossible to recover from almost. "I didn't adapt to those conditions well enough. The water was so close to the surface. Like the shot I hit on 11, it's bizarre. I just don't know, it was like an aquaplane on the ground. "It's a tough call, but we played. Everyone had to deal with it." Turning 45 next month, Scott had been bidding to become the oldest US Open champion since Hale Irwin in 1990, and the second-oldest winner ever. He would also have joined five-times British Open winner Peter Thomson, his idol Greg Norman, who claimed the Claret Jug twice, and David Graham as only the fourth Australian man to capture multiple major championships. The popular Queenslander had the chance to follow Graham, the 1979 PGA Championship and 1981 US Open champion, as the only Aussie to snare two majors in America. Alas, the golfing gods once again conspired against him. But in a small consolation that will have big ramifications for his legacy, Scott is guaranteed a start at next year's Open at Shinnecock Hills courtesy of his top-12 finish in Pennsylvania. After teeing it up for 96 straight majors, the longest streak among active players, Scott is exempt for next month's British Open as well as the 2026 Masters and PGA Championship. At least he won't be left stranded on 99.
The Advertiser
6 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Spaun drains monster putt for unlikely US Open triumph
As Adam Scott laments falling painfully short of landing an evasive second career major, American JJ Spaun is crediting a pep talk from his coaches for winning one of the wildest US Open championships in history. While Scott collapsed down the stretch, like so many others, Spaun emerged triumphant after a disastrous start to his final round in Pittsburgh to claim a two-shot victory over Scotland's Robert MacIntyre. Runner-up in a play-off to Rory McIlroy at the Players Championship in March, the unheralded Spaun once again showed his class and resilience with a Sunday comeback for the ages. After starting the day level with Scott and just one shot adrift of American leader Sam Burns, Spaun dropped five strokes in the first six holes to fall five behind. But he regrouped after a 96-minute weather delay to run down the leaders, closing with a final-round 72 as the fearsome Oakmont Country Club reduced the world's best players to week-day hackers. The 34-year-old sealed victory in the most stylish and spectacular fashion with a 64-foot birdie putt - the longest-holed putt of the week - at the last hole. Spaun's winning one-under-par 279 total earned the Californian the Jack Nicklaus gold medal, the US Open Trophy, a $US4.3 million ($A6.6 million) cheque and his maiden major championship, having never previously posted a top-20 finish at any of golf's four biggest events. Fittingly, Spaun also joined Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Tom Watson and Jon Rahm in winning the US Open with a birdie-birdie finish. The champion could not have imagined such an outcome after his luckless start included his ball cruelly ricocheting off the flag and off the green on the second hole. "Yeah, the wheels were falling off early," Spaun said. "But it wasn't totally my fault. I was getting some unlucky breaks, bounces - a great shot on two that literally was a two-shot swing." Spaun reckons his coaches saying "dude, just chill" during the rain break revived his fortunes. "They just said 'Just let it come to you. Be calm. Stop trying so hard. If you were given four shots back going into the back nine on Monday, you would take that'," Spaun said. "That's what I was doing. I felt like I had a chance, a really good chance to win the US Open at the start of the day. It just unravelled very fast. "But that break was actually the key for me to winning this tournament." MacIntyre's final-round 68 was enough to secure second outright, with Norwegian star Victor Hovland (73) third a further shot back at two over. Playing in the final group, Scott faded with a final-round 79 to tie for 12th at six over. Bidding to become the oldest US Open champion since Hale Irwin in 1990, 44-year-old Scott made a nervy start with bogeys on the first and third holes. Such was the carnage that, despite dropping four shots for his round, Scott was still in a five-way tie for the lead after scrambling for par at the long 12th. Alas, the Australian's hopes evaporated in a cruel half-hour after the resumption of play due to a flash storm. From a share of the lead, he bogeyed the 14th after driving into the lip of a bunker. Then, even more deflatingly, Scott almost drained a long putt to regain a share of the lead on 15, only for the ball to narrowly miss the pin and roll seven feet past. He missed the return putt and there was no way back for the popular former world No.1. Third-round leader Burns also suffered a late meltdown after being controversially denied a free drop on the soaked 15th fairway. Burns was only one stroke behind at that point, but took a double bogey, then dropped more shots in a demoralising round of 78 to ultimately share seventh spot at four over with 2021 champion Jon Rahm and world No.1 Scottie Scheffler. Finishing with three consecutive birdies in the low round of the day, a three-under 67 in the best of the morning conditions, Rahm dreamed of a miraculous victory from 11 shots back after claiming the clubhouse lead. In a most extraordinary finale, Rahm held that lead for some four hours before Scheffler joined the Spaniard on the score with an even-par 70. But Spaun could not be denied. As Adam Scott laments falling painfully short of landing an evasive second career major, American JJ Spaun is crediting a pep talk from his coaches for winning one of the wildest US Open championships in history. While Scott collapsed down the stretch, like so many others, Spaun emerged triumphant after a disastrous start to his final round in Pittsburgh to claim a two-shot victory over Scotland's Robert MacIntyre. Runner-up in a play-off to Rory McIlroy at the Players Championship in March, the unheralded Spaun once again showed his class and resilience with a Sunday comeback for the ages. After starting the day level with Scott and just one shot adrift of American leader Sam Burns, Spaun dropped five strokes in the first six holes to fall five behind. But he regrouped after a 96-minute weather delay to run down the leaders, closing with a final-round 72 as the fearsome Oakmont Country Club reduced the world's best players to week-day hackers. The 34-year-old sealed victory in the most stylish and spectacular fashion with a 64-foot birdie putt - the longest-holed putt of the week - at the last hole. Spaun's winning one-under-par 279 total earned the Californian the Jack Nicklaus gold medal, the US Open Trophy, a $US4.3 million ($A6.6 million) cheque and his maiden major championship, having never previously posted a top-20 finish at any of golf's four biggest events. Fittingly, Spaun also joined Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Tom Watson and Jon Rahm in winning the US Open with a birdie-birdie finish. The champion could not have imagined such an outcome after his luckless start included his ball cruelly ricocheting off the flag and off the green on the second hole. "Yeah, the wheels were falling off early," Spaun said. "But it wasn't totally my fault. I was getting some unlucky breaks, bounces - a great shot on two that literally was a two-shot swing." Spaun reckons his coaches saying "dude, just chill" during the rain break revived his fortunes. "They just said 'Just let it come to you. Be calm. Stop trying so hard. If you were given four shots back going into the back nine on Monday, you would take that'," Spaun said. "That's what I was doing. I felt like I had a chance, a really good chance to win the US Open at the start of the day. It just unravelled very fast. "But that break was actually the key for me to winning this tournament." MacIntyre's final-round 68 was enough to secure second outright, with Norwegian star Victor Hovland (73) third a further shot back at two over. Playing in the final group, Scott faded with a final-round 79 to tie for 12th at six over. Bidding to become the oldest US Open champion since Hale Irwin in 1990, 44-year-old Scott made a nervy start with bogeys on the first and third holes. Such was the carnage that, despite dropping four shots for his round, Scott was still in a five-way tie for the lead after scrambling for par at the long 12th. Alas, the Australian's hopes evaporated in a cruel half-hour after the resumption of play due to a flash storm. From a share of the lead, he bogeyed the 14th after driving into the lip of a bunker. Then, even more deflatingly, Scott almost drained a long putt to regain a share of the lead on 15, only for the ball to narrowly miss the pin and roll seven feet past. He missed the return putt and there was no way back for the popular former world No.1. Third-round leader Burns also suffered a late meltdown after being controversially denied a free drop on the soaked 15th fairway. Burns was only one stroke behind at that point, but took a double bogey, then dropped more shots in a demoralising round of 78 to ultimately share seventh spot at four over with 2021 champion Jon Rahm and world No.1 Scottie Scheffler. Finishing with three consecutive birdies in the low round of the day, a three-under 67 in the best of the morning conditions, Rahm dreamed of a miraculous victory from 11 shots back after claiming the clubhouse lead. In a most extraordinary finale, Rahm held that lead for some four hours before Scheffler joined the Spaniard on the score with an even-par 70. But Spaun could not be denied. As Adam Scott laments falling painfully short of landing an evasive second career major, American JJ Spaun is crediting a pep talk from his coaches for winning one of the wildest US Open championships in history. While Scott collapsed down the stretch, like so many others, Spaun emerged triumphant after a disastrous start to his final round in Pittsburgh to claim a two-shot victory over Scotland's Robert MacIntyre. Runner-up in a play-off to Rory McIlroy at the Players Championship in March, the unheralded Spaun once again showed his class and resilience with a Sunday comeback for the ages. After starting the day level with Scott and just one shot adrift of American leader Sam Burns, Spaun dropped five strokes in the first six holes to fall five behind. But he regrouped after a 96-minute weather delay to run down the leaders, closing with a final-round 72 as the fearsome Oakmont Country Club reduced the world's best players to week-day hackers. The 34-year-old sealed victory in the most stylish and spectacular fashion with a 64-foot birdie putt - the longest-holed putt of the week - at the last hole. Spaun's winning one-under-par 279 total earned the Californian the Jack Nicklaus gold medal, the US Open Trophy, a $US4.3 million ($A6.6 million) cheque and his maiden major championship, having never previously posted a top-20 finish at any of golf's four biggest events. Fittingly, Spaun also joined Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Tom Watson and Jon Rahm in winning the US Open with a birdie-birdie finish. The champion could not have imagined such an outcome after his luckless start included his ball cruelly ricocheting off the flag and off the green on the second hole. "Yeah, the wheels were falling off early," Spaun said. "But it wasn't totally my fault. I was getting some unlucky breaks, bounces - a great shot on two that literally was a two-shot swing." Spaun reckons his coaches saying "dude, just chill" during the rain break revived his fortunes. "They just said 'Just let it come to you. Be calm. Stop trying so hard. If you were given four shots back going into the back nine on Monday, you would take that'," Spaun said. "That's what I was doing. I felt like I had a chance, a really good chance to win the US Open at the start of the day. It just unravelled very fast. "But that break was actually the key for me to winning this tournament." MacIntyre's final-round 68 was enough to secure second outright, with Norwegian star Victor Hovland (73) third a further shot back at two over. Playing in the final group, Scott faded with a final-round 79 to tie for 12th at six over. Bidding to become the oldest US Open champion since Hale Irwin in 1990, 44-year-old Scott made a nervy start with bogeys on the first and third holes. Such was the carnage that, despite dropping four shots for his round, Scott was still in a five-way tie for the lead after scrambling for par at the long 12th. Alas, the Australian's hopes evaporated in a cruel half-hour after the resumption of play due to a flash storm. From a share of the lead, he bogeyed the 14th after driving into the lip of a bunker. Then, even more deflatingly, Scott almost drained a long putt to regain a share of the lead on 15, only for the ball to narrowly miss the pin and roll seven feet past. He missed the return putt and there was no way back for the popular former world No.1. Third-round leader Burns also suffered a late meltdown after being controversially denied a free drop on the soaked 15th fairway. Burns was only one stroke behind at that point, but took a double bogey, then dropped more shots in a demoralising round of 78 to ultimately share seventh spot at four over with 2021 champion Jon Rahm and world No.1 Scottie Scheffler. Finishing with three consecutive birdies in the low round of the day, a three-under 67 in the best of the morning conditions, Rahm dreamed of a miraculous victory from 11 shots back after claiming the clubhouse lead. In a most extraordinary finale, Rahm held that lead for some four hours before Scheffler joined the Spaniard on the score with an even-par 70. But Spaun could not be denied. As Adam Scott laments falling painfully short of landing an evasive second career major, American JJ Spaun is crediting a pep talk from his coaches for winning one of the wildest US Open championships in history. While Scott collapsed down the stretch, like so many others, Spaun emerged triumphant after a disastrous start to his final round in Pittsburgh to claim a two-shot victory over Scotland's Robert MacIntyre. Runner-up in a play-off to Rory McIlroy at the Players Championship in March, the unheralded Spaun once again showed his class and resilience with a Sunday comeback for the ages. After starting the day level with Scott and just one shot adrift of American leader Sam Burns, Spaun dropped five strokes in the first six holes to fall five behind. But he regrouped after a 96-minute weather delay to run down the leaders, closing with a final-round 72 as the fearsome Oakmont Country Club reduced the world's best players to week-day hackers. The 34-year-old sealed victory in the most stylish and spectacular fashion with a 64-foot birdie putt - the longest-holed putt of the week - at the last hole. Spaun's winning one-under-par 279 total earned the Californian the Jack Nicklaus gold medal, the US Open Trophy, a $US4.3 million ($A6.6 million) cheque and his maiden major championship, having never previously posted a top-20 finish at any of golf's four biggest events. Fittingly, Spaun also joined Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Tom Watson and Jon Rahm in winning the US Open with a birdie-birdie finish. The champion could not have imagined such an outcome after his luckless start included his ball cruelly ricocheting off the flag and off the green on the second hole. "Yeah, the wheels were falling off early," Spaun said. "But it wasn't totally my fault. I was getting some unlucky breaks, bounces - a great shot on two that literally was a two-shot swing." Spaun reckons his coaches saying "dude, just chill" during the rain break revived his fortunes. "They just said 'Just let it come to you. Be calm. Stop trying so hard. If you were given four shots back going into the back nine on Monday, you would take that'," Spaun said. "That's what I was doing. I felt like I had a chance, a really good chance to win the US Open at the start of the day. It just unravelled very fast. "But that break was actually the key for me to winning this tournament." MacIntyre's final-round 68 was enough to secure second outright, with Norwegian star Victor Hovland (73) third a further shot back at two over. Playing in the final group, Scott faded with a final-round 79 to tie for 12th at six over. Bidding to become the oldest US Open champion since Hale Irwin in 1990, 44-year-old Scott made a nervy start with bogeys on the first and third holes. Such was the carnage that, despite dropping four shots for his round, Scott was still in a five-way tie for the lead after scrambling for par at the long 12th. Alas, the Australian's hopes evaporated in a cruel half-hour after the resumption of play due to a flash storm. From a share of the lead, he bogeyed the 14th after driving into the lip of a bunker. Then, even more deflatingly, Scott almost drained a long putt to regain a share of the lead on 15, only for the ball to narrowly miss the pin and roll seven feet past. He missed the return putt and there was no way back for the popular former world No.1. Third-round leader Burns also suffered a late meltdown after being controversially denied a free drop on the soaked 15th fairway. Burns was only one stroke behind at that point, but took a double bogey, then dropped more shots in a demoralising round of 78 to ultimately share seventh spot at four over with 2021 champion Jon Rahm and world No.1 Scottie Scheffler. Finishing with three consecutive birdies in the low round of the day, a three-under 67 in the best of the morning conditions, Rahm dreamed of a miraculous victory from 11 shots back after claiming the clubhouse lead. In a most extraordinary finale, Rahm held that lead for some four hours before Scheffler joined the Spaniard on the score with an even-par 70. But Spaun could not be denied.
