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LOS ANGELES — Whose U.S. Open is this? It’s been six full days of the 123rd week of this national championship, but the question still persists. There are possible determinations one could make but nevertheless 24 hours and 18 holes remaining before the answer reveals itself.
It was presumed Monday that Los Angeles Country Club would win the week. Though it has firmed up, it’s certainly not the bouncy test everyone expected. The aura on the grounds could not be more desolate. For a variety of reasons — difficult routing, limited ticket sales and a city potentially indifferent to golf’s national championship — this feels less like a U.S. Open and more like a U.S. Amateur. So, I’m not sure it’s the “People’s Open,” either.
Does it belong to Rickie Fowler? He co-leads with Wyndham Clark at 10 under. Both are tied for the second-shortest odds at 14/5, according to Caesars Sportsbook. It’s not incomprehensible that this could be his tournament. He’s playing terrific golf in 2023 and did again on Saturday feeling the unfamiliar heat of contending for a major as a chill fell over LACC.
After a silly 70-foot birdie putt at the par-4 13th, Fowler hit one close on the par-5 14th rousing the tepid crowd to perhaps its loudest level of the day. He had a chance to get to 12 under for the week, three clear of Rory McIlroy and clearly in control of the tournament. He missed. After two pars at Nos. 16 and 17, he three-putted the last in the dark to fall backwards into a tie. It felt like it was his U.S. Open for the taking, and then suddenly, the door remained open.
Still, Fowler remains locked into what would be his first major championship.
“I would say this week, this is the best I’ve felt all year and definitely in a long time,” he said. “We all feel nerves at times, depending on certain shots or circumstances, but I mentioned it [Friday] and then still stand by it. This is the best I’ve…
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Source : cbssports
