California cool, Matthew Wolff takes detour to US Open lead
The only number that mattered to the 21-year-old Californian was a two-shot lead going into the final round. “Anyone in my position would be frustrated, especially with having the lead going into today," Reed said. It’s the U.S. Open, and I have a lead,” Wolff said. “I’m going to try to keep my nerves as calm as they can be. I did everything that I could do up until this point, and tomorrow I’m going to go out there, I promise you I’m going to try my best.”He was at 5-under 205.
'I'm so sick of this' Mickelson in second-to-last at US Open
But instead of walking off in second place, the way he did in 2006, he headed to the clubhouse Thursday in 142nd, tied for second-to-last at the U.S. Open. “I'm 9 over,” Mickelson said in discussing his plans for Friday. There were no fans because of the COVID pandemic that pushed this U.S. Open back three months. "Look, I’m 50, my career is what it is,” he said in a Golf Channel interview earlier in the week. “I'm so sick of this,” he said as he bent over in disgust.
Mickelson added to field in a US Open without qualifying
Mickelson is now exempt to return to Winged Foot for the U.S. Open in September. The COVID-19 pandemic that forced the U.S. Open to move from June also cost the championship its identity of being open to all. Open qualifying wasnt possible for two stages at nearly 120 courses across the country and into Canada, England and Japan. With his five majors and Hall of Fame career not to mention his legacy of silver medals in the U.S. Open Mickelson likely would have received at least one exemption. The rest of the field is similar to what the British Open has done with its International Finals Qualifying for the PGA Tour.