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Lee fights to keep US Open dream alive

3 minute read

Min Woo Lee is the leading Australian after the third round of the US Open, six shots off the pace at Brookline Country Club in Massachusetts.

MIN WOO LEE of Australia plays his approach shot during the Australian Open at Royal Sydney Golf Club in Sydney, Australia.
MIN WOO LEE of Australia plays his approach shot during the Australian Open at Royal Sydney Golf Club in Sydney, Australia. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Min Woo Lee has given himself a fighter's chance of completing an extraordinary family double as Brookline bared its teeth during a brutal third round of the US Open.

Two weeks after his sister Minjee won the US Women's Open at Pine Needles, Lee fired a steely one-under-par 69 to wind up six strokes off the pace entering the final round of the men's edition in Massachusetts.

The 24-year-old will need a big Sunday charge for the Lees to become the first brother-sister act in history to win the US Open.

But Lee at least has a glimmer of hope, which appeared most unlikely until he birdied the last two holes and world No.1 Scottie Scheffler and defending champion Jon Rahm both fell victim to the perils of one of the most demanding set-ups in golf.

Scheffler dropped five shots in four holes on the back nine while Rahm racked up an eventful double bogey on the last to leave American Will Zalatoris (67) and England's Matthew Fitzpatrick (68) as the co-leaders at four under.

Rahm (71) is outright third at three under, one ahead of Scheffler (71), fellow American Keegan Bradley (69) and Canadian Adam Hadwin (70).

Lee will need some help to reel in the pack but, sitting only four back of the fourth placegetters at two over, a famous victory isn't beyond him.

With a record-equalling front-nine final-round 30 at his maiden Masters in April, the Perth prodigy showed he's capable of going low on Sunday.

Australian hopes appeared to have completely sunk when both Scheffler and Rahm reached six under and Lee was four over.

Veterans Adam Scott and Marc Leishman are the next best Australians in a tie for 45th and eight shots adrift of the leaders at four over.

Scott carded a two-over 74, with Leishman posting a 75.

After a golden start to his round, Todd Sinnott finished at six over following a 76.

The qualifier opened with two birdies in the first five holes to claw his way back to level with the card, but racked up three bogeys and a double on the back nine.

But the unfancied 30-year-old wasn't the only player punished.

Chasing the third leg of the grand slam, American Collin Morikawa crashed from halfway leader into a tie for 17th with Lee following a nightmare round of 77.

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