U.S. Open News and Notes: June 19, 2011
Lee Westwood's Low Round
Lee Westwood co-authored Saturday's U.S. Open low round, a 6-under 65 along, with Australian Jason Day.
The round was Westwood's lowest ever in the U.S. Open and only his third in the 60s out of 43 career rounds. Unfortunately the Englishman is nine shots back of 54-hole leader Rory McIllroy.
"My mission was to get myself somewhere into the tournament," Westwood said. "I said maybe if I can get to 10‑under at the weekend. But you don't know how Rory is going to do. You don't know how he's going to deal with the big lead. He had a big lead in a major and didn't deal with it well before. There's pressure on him with regards to that."
Third Round at Congressional
Saturday's third round was a day for scoring at Congressional Country Club's Blue Course.
After two difficult days of scoring for most of the field, the U.S. Golf Association eased up on its setup, moving up tees and putting pins in some accessible places.
The setup produced a scoring average of 71.91—compared to Thursday's 74.10 and Friday's 73.12. The decision for a less penal setup may have also been an attempt to create some drama.
And while a number of challengers posted scores in the 60s, so did leader Rory McIlroy. By night's end, the 22-year-old Northern Irishman had extended his lead from six to eight strokes.
The Odds
If you are a betting man, it would be difficult to make anything off of Rory McIllroy on Saturday night. According to Las Vegas, the odds of McIlory winning is 1-to-10. The next closest is Lee Westwood at 15-to-1.
Stuart Hall is editor of the Golf Press Association.
