Swede Henrik Stenson believes “anything can happen” on the final day of the US Open Championship, when he will attempt to hunt down runaway leader Martin Kaymer.
Stenson is six shots back in a share of fourth place after a level par 70 on day three at Pinehurst, which would have been one better had he not missed a short par putt on the last.
“The 18th caught me out a bit because I thought the wind was into us and I tried to hit the wedge really hard,” said the reigning European Tour Number One.
“Instead it was across us, and tugged it left. Then I hit a bad second putt from four feet.
“It felt like that was the only bad thing that happened out there today. I could have had one or two birdie putts drop instead of miss. The 14th was a great chance and the long one on the 16th looked in all the way.
“Overall I’m very happy because I played a nice round of golf on a tough course, and I got a little bit closer. Five or six shots behind with 18 holes to go is obviously a long shot, but I’ve still got a chance.”
Only two players – Americans Rickie Fowler and Erik Compton – broke par in round three, and Stenson added: “It’s playing tougher today, so the 70 today is probably better than the 69s on the two previous days.
“It’s a difficult golf course and it won’t be any easier tomorrow, so anything can happen.”
Brooks Koepka is another European Tour player in the mix, although he was disappointed with his two over par 72, which left him level for the week and tied seventh.
“It wasn't good,” said the 24 year old. “I didn't really strike the ball very well. It didn't help that we (playing partner Dustin Johnson) were kind of spraying it everywhere. We didn't really get a chance to feed off each other.
“But if you’d told me I was going to take even par after 54 holes, I would have taken it. So you've just got to look at it that way. Some of the pin locations were brutal today. And the wind was up, too, because it's been dead the last two days.”
Defending champion Justin Rose was also left to rue some missed opportunities as a level par 70 moved him up to tied tenth at one over par for the tournament.
“It could have been a great day, no doubt,” he said. “I played really, really well today. I was surprised when I got in the scorer's tent and found out 70 was tied for the lowest score today until that point. I felt like I had an opportunity to go low but squandered a lot of shots out there.
“Every bogey I made was a cheap giveaway. That's why I didn't really realise how tough the course was playing.
“I think right now I have to accept that I'm probably playing for the places, but stranger things have happened. Today was the day I needed something special.”
