Burns clings to slim lead at Oakmont

Scott, Spaun stay in US Open title picture

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Sam Burns outduelled fellow American JJ Spaun down the stretch to grab a one-stroke lead after Saturday's third round of the US Open, setting the stage for a final day showdown at punishing Oakmont.

Burns fired a one-under par 69 to stand on four-under 206 after 54 holes with Australian Adam Scott, the 2013 Masters champion, and Spaun sharing second on 207 and Norway's Viktor Hovland fourth on 209.

Burns, whose most recent win came at the 2023 WGC Match Play, and Spaun each found the right rough at 18 but Burns made the green and two-putted for par while Burns found a bunker and two-putted for bogey.

"I didn’t drive the ball as well as I would have liked, but when I got out of position I did a good job of getting myself back in the fairway," Burns said. "I was able to convert some of those and kept the momentum going. That was key to the round."

Spaun, whose only PGA Tour win came at the 2022 Texas Open, shot 69 and was happy despite the setback at 18.

"This is the best I've played in my career, for sure," Spaun said. "I'm just happy I'm still within shouting distance — 18 is just a tough hole if you're out of position. Bogeys happen at Oakmont."