Branden Grace remains South Africa’s highest-placed golfer after hanging tough after a brutal day of scoring at the US Open at Shinnecock Hills.
The wind was back in New York after a day’s break and it wreaked havoc with the world’s best. To highlight that point, overnight leader Dustin Johnson was six over through eight holes as his lead evaporated in a matter of minutes.
Grace birdied the 3rd after hitting his approach to gimmie range to get into red figures early on Saturday. He would surrender that shot at the next before sinking a lengthy effort from the back of the 5th green to return to -1.
The multiple European Tour winner would turn level after a bogey five at the 9th as the birdies dried up and would return to the clubhouse +2 for the day after dropping shots at the 13th and 18th on a day where he hit just 10 greens in regulation.
Grace’s 54-hole score of +7 has him inside the top 20 but there is still some golf to play.
Countryman Louis Oosthuizen was birdie-free on Saturday and signed for a 75. Two shots further back at +13 for the championship is Major debutant Dean Burmester, who had two birdies on his back nine but coupled that with two double drops for a 75.
