MATTHEW NESMITH

The qualifiers who lingered among the leaders for 36 holes of the U.S. Open came back to reality in the third round.

US Open Golf Joel Dahmen reacts to missing a putt on the 18th hole during the second round of the U.S. Open golf tournament at The Country Club, Friday, June 17, 2022, in Brookline, Mass. Four of this diverse dozen — Morikawa, Rahm, McIlroy and Scheffler — have major titles. “It will be a big weekend,” said Dahmen, who seriously considered skipping the qualifying process in exchange for a few weeks off. But also because the weekend forecast calls for highs in the 60s with a 10-15 mph wind blowing from the north. “I would expect over the weekend for it to get a little faster and a little fierier,” McIlroy said.

In at least one important way, the halfway point of the 2022 U.S. Open doesn’t feel all that different from the day before it started.

Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele are a good team even when they’re playing for cash instead of a flag.

Burns holed a birdie putt from just over 30 feet on the 16th hole to beat Davis Riley on the second playoff hole, giving him three PGA Tour victories in his last 22 starts. Burns, who closed with a 2-under 69, is the second straight back-to-back winner at Innisbrook following Paul Casey's consecutive wins in 2018 and 2019. He had a 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th for the win and left it out to the right, closing with a 72. One hole later, Burns made a 15-foot birdie putt and Thomas suddenly was four shots behind. But he steadied himself with a 50-foot birdie putt from the fringe on No.

Sam Burns is a winner at the Valspar Championship again.

And just like that, a Masters invitation is in view for Riley, a 25-year-old PGA Tour rookie. Justin Thomas did his part with a third consecutive 66, which any other year would have set a tournament record. “It's always fun when you get to play with a good buddy and Justin obviously is one of the best players in the world,” Riley said. Adam Hadwin, who won at Innisbrook five years ago for his only PGA Tour title, shot 70 and was five shots behind. "On the PGA Tour the final group is the coolest thing in the world, and to have that opportunity and to play well was great.

Davis Riley played before the biggest crowd at the Valspar Championship and delivered his best performance.

Scoring has been low all week after rain softened the course and the wind has been minimal. He shot 30 on the front nine, and his 18-foot birdie putt on his final hole at No. The 61 tied the course set by Padraig Harrington in 2012. Two days around the Copperhead course has created very little stress for Hadwin, with his game and between the ears. “The par putt on 7 was a big one to get me going,” Hadwin said.

Matthew NeSmith had the round of his young career at Innisbrook.