Sitting atop the US Open leaderboard ahead of today's final round, four American players are tied for leader at +3; Daniel Berger, Tony Finau, Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson.
With scores fluctuating on a round-by-round basis, Johnson's differential between the second and third round was 10 shots - 67 on day two followed by a 77 yesterday.
Tied 16th at +8, Zach Johnson is not at all pleased with the Shinnecock Hills course that he believes has escaped the control of the USGA officials.
Speaking to ESPN, Johnson, who has shot 73, 73 and 72, described the course as 'pretty much gone':
It's pretty much shot. It's really unfortunate, because in my opinion, some of the best land and certainly one of the best venues in all of golf, especially in this county, is Shinnecock Hills. It's as good as it gets.
Unfortunately, they've lost the golf course. I feel for the membership, because I know many of them. I feel for the spectators because they are seeing pure carnage—unless that's what they want.
And I feel for the USGA because I don't think this was their intent. But when you think of the things that happened in the past, you have to err on the side of caution. And that wasn't done today.
Contending with some unfavourable winds also, Jordan Spieth, Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy are among the high-profile players who failed to make the cut after each shooting rounds of eight-over, or worse.
Any elements of farce extended to one particular incident involving Phil Mickelson during yesterday's round. Putting on the 13th, Mickelson incited the ire - and plenty of laughter, also - of viewers when he putted a moving ball.
In what initially appeared like complete disregard for the round on Mickelson's behalf, the American later revealed that it was in fact part of a score-saving ploy to keep himself from a potential triple, or even quadruple, bogey.
See Also: Watch: Phil Mickelson Has Absolutely Lost The Plot At The US Open
