Scheffler surges, knows 'a great round' can win U.S. Open - ESPN

SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler knows what's at stake in Sunday's final round of the 126th U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club.

If Scheffler can make something special happen — or if leader Wyndham Clark can somehow come back to the field — he'll have a chance to become only the seventh golfer to complete the career Grand Slam.

Scheffler would accomplish the feat on his 30th birthday and Father's Day.

Scheffler trails Clark by six shots heading into the final round. They'll play together in the last group.

«We want to be in these positions,» said Scheffler, who was tied for second at 1 under. «This is why we practice and play, to have the opportunity to win golf tournaments, and that's what tomorrow is. I have an opportunity to go out there and have a great round and give myself a chance to win the tournament.

»Right now, I think I'm five shots back, but we'll see what happens as the day goes on. I could be seven shots back and could be three shots back. I don't know what it's going to be."

After three straight birdies on the back nine put Scheffler back into contention Saturday, he had a chance to get even closer on the final two holes. He narrowly missed a 7-foot putt that would have saved par on the 17th.

On the par-4 18th, Scheffler hit his approach to about 4 feet but missed a tricky downhill putt for birdie.

«Late in the day, the greens, there's a lot of activity, and with so much pitch and wind, there's a bit of mystery as to how the ball is going to break,» Scheffler said. «We had a kind of inside left read, hit a solid putt, and [the ball] just kind of kept breaking.»

Scottie is within striking distance