Allen, Texas’ Paul McConnell shot an 8-under 64 on Thursday at Dakota Dunes Golf Links to take the first round lead at the SIGA Dakota Dunes Open, the fourth event of the 2016 Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada season.

The 25-year old managed seven birdies, an eagle and a bogey on day one to lead by two over Chilliwack, British Columbia’s Brad Clapp and Sea Island, Georgia’s Bobby Wyatt through one round at Dakota Dunes.

“I focused on one hole at a time and tried to make birdies, and had a lucky eagle on two, which is great. It was just fun and I was having a good time,” said McConnell.

The second year Mackenzie Tour member is coming off a 2015 campaign that saw him retain exempt status by finishing inside the top 60 on the Order of Merit, as well as an off-season where he Monday qualified for two different PGA TOUR events, two accomplishments the University of Texas-Arlington graduate said were more than a coincidence.

“This is a good proving ground to get to the next level, and last year playing the Mackenzie Tour allowed me to play well for the qualifiers on the PGA TOUR and get some good experience,” said McConnell.

Two shots behind McConnell were Wyatt and Clapp, who carded his best career round in his third start at Dakota Dunes.

“I stayed out of trouble for sure and didn’t feel much stress today. I had a couple of tough chips coming in, but I hit a lot of greens and never really got myself out of position,” said Clapp.

Clapp carded seven birdies and one bogey on Thursday for a 6-under 66. Thursday marked the ninth straight round after which a native of British Columbia has been inside the Top-five.

13 players were tied for fourth at 5-under after day one, including a trio of Canadians Elliott Whitley of Hamilton, Ont., Dundas, Ont., product Christopher Ross, and Edmonton’s Wil Bateman.

BETHESDA, Md. – Jon Rahm couldn’t remember a single shot he took in a professional debut to remember. Ernie Els recalled shots he hit on the same course 19 years ago.

Rahm shot a 7-under 64 on Thursday at Congressional to take the first-round lead in the Quicken Loans National, Tiger Woods’ annual tournament that started two hours late because of rain.

The soft course, with a fox lounging on the edge of a bunker and darting around with little care for the golf going on around him, allowed players to attack fairways and play aggressively. Rahm took advantage of that with seven birdies in a bogey-free round.

“I was anticipating this moment,” the 21-year-old Spaniard said. “I’m working on it a long time that I kind of blacked out a little bit. I don’t remember a single swing I made all day or any putting stroke or anything. I just remember the ball flying or rolling.”

The former Arizona State star was the only amateur to make the cut last week in the U.S. Open, tying for 23rd at Oakmont. With momentum from the U.S. Open, Rahm tried to temper his expectations and relied on advice from golf great Jack Nicklaus.

“What he told me is to just never do more than what I can do,” said Rahm, who cited not looking at social media as another key to his success. “Try not to risk too much. And that’s certainly something I did today.”

The long-hitting Rahm had a one-stroke lead over Jhonattan Vegas and a two-stroke advantage over a pack that included Els, who won the 1997 U.S. Open at Congressional. Rickie Fowler and Vijay Singh were among those at 68.

Els, who turned pro five years before Rahm was born, chose to play the Quicken Loans immediately after missing the cut at the U.S. Open because of how much he likes the course. He has the same caddie, Ricci Roberts, who was on his bag back in 1997, and Thursday was full of useful memories.

“Winning a major at a special place like Congressional, playing here again, you just keep thinking back on shots,” Els said. “Almost every single hole there’s a moment back in ’97 where we can remember still.”

The 46-year-old Els is almost four years from his last victory, when he won the 2012 British Open. But he started feeling more like himself during the pro-am Wednesday and showed it by shooting a 66.

“I felt comfortable with my swing this week,” Els said. “I’ve had a very tough year. I haven’t played very well, so I need to start playing well.”

Rahm, on the other hand, has been gradually improving. He opened eyes by tying for fifth at the Waste Management Phoenix Open in February 2015 and turned pro as the top-ranked amateur.

Now his challenge is to keep expectations low while leading a tournament. Rahm’s plan was to go see a movie and get away from golf rather than focus on it.

“It is a challenge,” Rahm said. “I’ve been playing a lot of golf lately and maybe trying to get time off golf is just as important as time practicing, so maybe just resting my mind a little bit would be the best way to do it.”

Bill Haas, Jamie Lovemark, Kyle Reifers, Camilo Villegas, Harold Varner III, Billy Hurley IIIand Wesley Bryan were at 66 along with Els.

The 7,569-yard course, which last hosted the U.S. Open in 2011 when Rory McIlroy won it by eight strokes, could play even longer once it dries out by the weekend. After rain that started before dawn, players said the fairways weren’t bouncing, so clean shots could get the job done.

“On this course you had better drive it well in the fairway and it’s a bonus if you can drive it long and straight,” Vegas said. “Put it in the fairway and greens being a little softer than normal, you can play a good round today.”

Abbotsford, B.C., products Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor opened with matching 2-under 69 showings and hold shares of 35th. David Hearn of Brantford, Ont., sits T55 at 1-under.

TORONTO – It was a dramatic finish to the Investors Group Ontario Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, on June 23 at Lambton Golf & Country Club. After 54-holes, a champion was yet to be crowned. First and second round leader, Ryan Kings, and Matthew Sim were all tied at two-over and needed a playoff to determine a winner. On the first playoff hole, it was Sim who brought the crowd surrounding the 18th green, to their feet by sinking a nearly 20-foot birdie putt to capture the title.

Heading into the day, Sim, from Oakville and the Mississaugua Golf & Country Club, sat in a tie for fourth at three-over for the championship. The 29-year-old got off to a great start with birdies on the fifth, sixth, and seventh holes and was two-under at the turn. He continued to lower his score on the back nine with three more birdies on 10, 12 and 14 and was four-under for the day, one-under for the tournament, with three holes to go. However, after a bogey on 16, he found the trees on 17 leading to a double bogey. He pared the 18th but was watching the final group to see where he would finish.

The final group included Kitchener’s Kings and Brooklin’s Ashley Chinner, who began the round in first and second place respectively. Kings, a Deer Ridge Golf Club member, started the day with a four-shot lead but gave it back as he finished six-over on the front nine. He would get one back with a birdie on 11, but still found himself tied for the lead at two-over heading to the 18th. On 18, Kings drained a lengthy par putt to force the playoff with Sim. Kings managed to par the playoff hole but there was nothing he could do except watch as Sim sank the winner for the title. Sim finished the tournament at two-over (75-72-71-218), Kings went (69-72-77-218).

After the win, Sim talked about how he felt during the week. “Coming into the week I felt great and things just came together for me. I struggled a bit down the stretch but I held it together. Today my putting was my strong point, I definitely made some key putts.”

The most key putt for Sim came on the playoff hole. He remembers what he was thinking as he stared down the shot for the win. “It was a double breaker over a slope and I thought it was going to straighten out. It got about two feet from the hole and I could see it going right in the middle. I couldn’t believe it when it dropped. It still hasn’t sunk in yet. This win feels fantastic, it is above everything else by a long shot!”

As for Chinner, a member of Coppinwood Golf Club, he too had a chance to join the playoff for the title. However, it all came down to 18 where he settled for a bogey dropping him to a share of the bronze medal. Chinner finished the tournament at three-over (71-74-74-219) and won the Mid-Masters Championship.

He shared the bronze medal with North York’s Charles Fitzsimmons. Fitzsimmons, from Thornhill Golf & Country Club, began the day in a tie for seventh at four-over. He finished the round at one-under to end the tournament at three-over (73-75-71-219).

Fitzsimmons and Chinner played off for the third Team Ontario spot for the team competition at the Canadian Men’s Mid-Amateur Championship, Aug 23 – 26 at Golf Château-Bromont in Bromont, Quebec. Fitzsimmons claimed the spot in the second playoff hole.

Golf Ontario would like to thank Lambton Golf & Country Club along with their staff and volunteers for hosting the event. Thanks also to the Golf Ontario volunteers and to title sponsor Investors Group for their continued support of golf in the province.

For full tournament information, including the final leaderboard, see the tournament site.

EDMONTON – Brett Hogan of The Glencoe Golf & Country Club claimed victory at the Scott Venturo Alberta Open Championship at RedTail Landing Golf Club with a tournament total of 10-under 134. After losing the lead to Calgary’s Wes Heffernan early in the round, Hogan chipped-in on the 18th to win by two strokes.

Hogan started his front nine with two bogeys and two birdies to give Heffernan the early lead. Hogan proceeded to make five more birdies on the back nine before finishing with his one-hop chip-in on the final hole. “I knew I had to do something special,” Hogan explained. “I hit it a lot harder than what I wanted to and it one-hopped into the pin. Crazy things happen I guess.” With the win, Hogan has earned an exemption into the Mackenzie Tour-PGA Tour Canada’s 2016 Syncrude Oil Country Championship.

Wes Heffernan claimed runner-up honours with an 8-under performance. Heffernan’s four consecutive birdies on his first four holes gave him the early lead. “It was pretty flawless for 15 and a half holes, one of the best rounds I’ve ever played in a tournament,” said Heffernan. “To get back into contention at the Alberta Open was awesome.” Heffernan remained positive, adding, “I guess I’ll have to try to win an Alberta Open again.”

Wes Heffernan was awarded $5000 for being the low professional.

The top 16 amateurs from the 2016 Scott Venturo Alberta Open Championship will move on to compete at the Alberta Match Play Championship from June 23-24.

Complete results are available here.

When we talk about the game of golf, it’s truly a sport for everyone — a game for life. Whether we’re talking about age, gender, or physical conditions, any interested enthusiast should have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits and challenges our game presents.

As the National Sport Federation of golf, Golf Canada is continually looking for ways to encourage more people to play this great game. We work to eliminate barriers and engage people from all walks of life.

That holds especially true this year as we are piloting a training camp and nine-hole competition for Special Olympics Canada athletes, in conjunction with our CN Future Links Pacific and Quebec Championships. Special Olympics Canada approached us last year to see how Golf Canada could provide more opportunities for their athletes and we are excited about the opportunity to partner on this initiative. In 2015, Special Olympics Canada had more than 1,600 athletes registered and five of their athletes competed in the World Games in Los Angeles.

This relationship has given us a chance to look at golf through a new lens and open our eyes to the full scope of what our sport is like for golfers with disabilities.

In addition to this newly formed partnership with Special Olympics Canada, Golf Canada has recently adopted the R&A and USGA’s publication, A Modification of the Rules of Golf for Golfers with Disabilities. This modification to the Rules of Golf contains advice and permissible rules that a committee can adopt to provide equitable playing conditions. It allows golfers with disabilities to overcome certain unique or problematic circumstances that they would encounter on the course.

Five groups have been identified — blind golfers, amputee golfers, golfers requiring canes or crutches, golfers requiring wheelchairs and golfers with intellectual disabilities — in order to best apply specific rules modifications.

BLIND GOLFERS are allowed to have a coach (also referred to as a guide) who can assist in addressing the ball and with alignment prior to the stroke. Under the Rules of Golf, a coach would have the same status as a caddie. That said, if the coach cannot perform the duties of a caddie, it is permissible for a blind golfer to have both a coach and a caddie.

AMPUTEE GOLFERS (which, for this purpose, includes golfers with limb deficiencies) have restrictions of varying degrees. With this in mind, the committee can operate under Exception 1 to Rule 14-3 for certain devices (i.e. artificial limbs) that are used to alleviate a medical condition. If the committee is satisfied that the artificial devices do not give the player an undue advantage over other players, such devices would be permitted.

GOLFERS REQUIRING CANES, CRUTCHES OR WHEELCHAIRS use these devices as a necessity to play and it does not constitute “building a stance” within the meaning of the term in Rule 13-3. In addition to this point, the term “fairly taking your stance” is still relevant with respect to Rule 13-2. Players would still be limited to the intent of this rule, which prohibits a player from deliberately improving the lie of the ball, area of intended stance or swing, or line of play.

ANCHORING has recently been added to these modified Rules of Golf with the recent addition of Rule 14-1b. Regarding the application of this rule, where a committee has determined that a golfer who uses an assistive device is unable to hold and swing his clubs without anchoring because of his use of the assistive device, the golfer is permitted to make a stroke while anchoring the club.

It’s important to note these rules modifications only apply to a competition if they have been introduced by the committee in charge of the competition. These modifications do not apply automatically to a competition involving golfers with disabilities.

Secondly, outside of these exceptions for specific physical limitations outlined in A Modification of the Rules of Golf for Golfers with Disabilities, Golf Canada can review and approve the use of equipment or devices that don’t necessarily conform to the Rules of Golf on a case-by-case basis.

The ultimate goal of this modification is inclusion, and to provide fair and equitable playing conditions for every golfer.

For complete information pertaining to the Rules of Golf for golfers with disabilities, please visit golfcanada.ca/rules-of-golf.

Modified rules for golfers with disabilities This article was originally published in the May 2016 edition of Golf Canada Magazine. To view the full magazine, click the image to the left.

If there’s one word that describes this year’s Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship, it’s history.

Hosted by The Royal Ottawa GC in Gatineau, Que., and co-hosted by Eagle Creek GC in Dunrobin, Ont., it marks the first time the renowned championship — any of Golf Canada’s national championships, actually — has taken place in two separate provinces.

“It’s also interesting in that it’s the first time the drinking age has been different at both clubs too,” says Adam Helmer, Golf Canada’s director of rules and competitions, with a hearty chuckle.

Joking aside, Helmer says he is thrilled to have this year’s Canadian Amateur at such a historically important club like The Royal Ottawa. He’s eager for this year’s championship to begin.

“It’s such a storied club. This is where the Canadian Amateur began, and where Golf Canada began. We’re really excited to return,” he explains.

The history of The Royal Ottawa is robust, and it’s no wonder the club will be hosting a number of events to celebrate its 125th anniversary throughout the summer. It will have a kick-off event on April 15 (it’s around that date the club was founded in 1891), and over Canada Day weekend, the club will host its reciprocal clubs and ‘Royal’ affiliate clubs from around the world (there are five in Canada).

First established as the nine-hole Ottawa GC near the city’s current downtown core, the club moved to the Quebec side of the border not long after that, quite close to where a casino now stands. It moved to its current spot in 1903 and opened in 1904. It received its Royal designation from King George V in 1912.

Head professional Paul Carrothers says he approached Golf Canada (then the Royal Canadian Golf Association) in 2006 to say that the club’s 125th anniversary was approaching and they wanted to host the Canadian Amateur. The club also hosted the inaugural Canadian Amateur in 1895.

“At the time they were booked up to 2012, but we got slotted in for 2016. At the same time, we took the 2010 Canadian Mid-Amateur as part of the deal,” Carrothers explains.

Meanwhile, Eagle Creek — a Ken Venturi design (the Hall of Famer’s only Canadian layout) — is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

“It’s the biggest event in Canada for amateur golf, and we’re proud to co-host,” explains Ryan Little, Eagle Creek’s director of operations. “It’s the signature event for our 25th anniversary.”

Built through 230 acres of forest, the course features large greens and challenging, yet receptive holes. Water is a big part of the challenge at Eagle Creek, while the course sits just over 7,000 yards in length.

“Eagle Creek is one of the top courses in the region and this is an awesome opportunity to get the name out there and put on a good show for the players,” says Little. “I think the players are going to see a completely different course then what they’re seeing at The Royal Ottawa. It’s very remote, parkland-style. It’ll be really exciting.”

The Royal Ottawa, which also hosted the 1906 and 1911 Canadian Opens, sits at just over 6,600 yards, and although it’s not long by modern standards, it boasts some of the toughest greens in the area.

This year’s Canadian Amateur champion, according to Carrothers, will likely be a wizard around the greens.

“They have to be a putter, and they need to have a good short game. You’re dealing with very fast, small greens that are subtle in their breaks, but can play havoc if you don’t put the ball in the right spot,” he explains. “You could easily have four or five putts.”

Both clubs are also excited to offer opportunities to their members to play in the championship.

Golf Canada has given The Royal Ottawa three automatic entries, one of which is going to its current club champion. It will host an open event for members in June, along with another event in the summer that will reward both winners with a spot in the championship.

The Royal Ottawa is also hosting a pre-qualifier for the event, and “hopefully there will be some local representation there as well,” according to Carrothers.

There is one exemption from Eagle Creek already locked in, and the club is hosting a qualifier for all ClubLink members this summer for another spot.

“We want to really get our membership behind all of this. It’s a great opportunity for them,” says Little.

The field expanded to 240 players in 2010 as part of an effort to get an ‘A’ ranking for the event, according to Helmer. The ranking was established at the same time the World Amateur Golf Rankings were formalized, and Helmer says the Canadian Amateur is “pretty close.”

“The exemptions are the big carrot. Having the RBC Canadian Open exemption helps, and our U.S. Amateur exemption helps too,” he explains.

The Canadian Amateur is sandwiched between the Western Amateur and the U.S. Amateur, and right before that is the Porter Cup. That makes four huge amateur events in North America all happening around the same time.

“We’re hoping our combination of The Royal Ottawa/Eagle Creek, and Toronto Golf Club in 2017 will help translate our championship into an ‘A’ ranking,” Helmer states.

Whatever the ranking, the Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship continues to play an important role in Canadian golf history. And this year’s championship will no doubt provide another chapter.

Capital city clash This article was originally published in the May 2016 edition of Golf Canada Magazine. To view the full magazine, click the image to the left.

HAMILTON – The third and final RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifying event saw a field of 144 players combat heat and humidity at King’s Forest Golf Course in hopes of gaining entry into Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship. Branson Ferrier finished 4-under 68 to claim medallist honours and earn an exemption into the 107^th playing of the RBC Canadian Open to be contested at Glen Abbey Golf Club in Oakville, Ont., from July 18-24.

Ferrier, who began the day on the 10^th hole, opened with a 1-under 35 across the back nine. The Barrie, Ont., product finished his round with four birdies across his final six holes to secure the victory amidst rising temperatures and gathering winds.

“It was quite difficult out there,” said the 22-year-old. “I was off at 8:30 a.m., so I definitely give a lot of credit to being on the right end of the draw with the weather we had this afternoon. Even this morning towards the end of my round, the winds were picking up and it was very hot and sticky. There were a lot of crosswinds, so it was very difficult to judge.

“I had it going right out of the gate. I was making birdies and I knew that they were out there, so I just had to clean up a few things around the greens. I knew that there were two par-5s coming in my last six; my goal was just to get those two and play steady coming in.”

The former Alabama State University Hornet had trouble finding the right words when looking ahead to playing at the 2016 RBC Canadian Open. “I’ve only been playing professional golf for a few weeks. This is my fourth event as a professional, so this comes as a bit of a shock to me. I had been playing well at school and my game just kind of carried over. I’ve been to the Open at Glen Abbey a few times, and I’m beyond excited to be on the other side of the ropes this time.”

Matthew Scobie of Ajax, Ont., was the only other player to card a round under-par. The 21-year-old collected four birdies en route to a 1-under 71 showing. Peter Campbell of Windermere, Fla., Donnie Trosper from Canton, Mich., as well as, Ontarians Brian Hadley (Sarnia) and Will Mitchell (Bowmanville) finished with shares of third-place at even-par.

A total of 25 competitors, excluding the low medallist, shot 4-over 76 or better to advance to the Final Qualifier in which a minimum of four players will gain entry into the 2016 RBC Canadian Open.

The two-stage qualifying procedure for Canada’s National Men’s Open Championship is comprised of a trio of regional qualifying events held in British Columbia, Quebec and Ontario, followed by the final qualifying competition on July 18.

The previous two qualifying events at Victoria’s Bear Mountain Resort and Club de golf La Vallée du Richelieu in Sainte-Julie, Que., awarded 14 players with spots into the Final Qualifier.

Additional information and full results from the RBC Canadian Open Regional Qualifier in Ontario can be found here.

BELMONT, Mich. – Sei Young Kim won the Meijer LPGA Classic on Sunday for her second victory of the year, beating Carlota Ciganda with a birdie on the first hole of a playoff.

After bogeying the 18th in regulation to drop into the playoff, the 23-year-old Kim rebounded on the par-4 hole in the playoff.

“I just angry on myself,” Kim said. “I just, ‘Oh, I have to bounce back because today before I play, I setting my goal no bogey play.’ But last one I missed with bogey. If I bounce back, yeah, it is a good work, so I did it well today.”

On the extra hole, the South Korean player hit a 124-yard shot from the deep left rough – so deep that she momentarily lost her ball after looking away – that ran onto the green and settled at 3 1/2 feet.

“I realize really a lot of release, so I try to (hit) before the 10 meter to the front,” said Kim, projected to remain fifth in the world ranking. “It was good and I hit great hit. And my ball position was a little settled down, so I tried a cut shot. It was a, yeah, good work.”

She finished with a 3-under 68 at Blythefield to match Ciganda at 17-under 267.

Ciganda, from Spain, parred the final five holes in a bogey-free 67. She’s winless on the tour, with four runner-up finishes – two in playoffs.

“One can win, and if you can’t win, second is the best,” Ciganda said. “I’ll keep trying and just keep playing golf.”

She also drove into the left rough in the playoff, then hit a 156-yard shot through the green and couldn’t get up-and-down for par.

“It’s been a really good week,” Ciganda said. “I played very solid, especially my putting was really good, so I’m very happy with the week. I made only two bogeys in 72 holes, so I think that’s really good with this rough. And a playoff, only one can win and, obviously, I hit it to the rough. It wasn’t an easy shot and she hit a really good one. Congratulations to her. She was better.”

Kim has five career victories, going 3-0 in playoffs. She also won the Founders Cup this year in Phoenix, shooting 63-66-70-62 to match Annika Sorenstam’s LPGA Tour scoring record of 27 under. Last year, she won three times and was the rookie of the year.

On 18 in regulation, Kim drove left into the rough under trees, hit her second into thick rough left of the green and missed a 15-foot par putt. She didn’t immediately know she was in a playoff.

“I didn’t know that until I finished 18 hole,” Kim said.

Her father, Jung Il, was with her on Father’s Day.

“I’m very happy to on the Father’s Day give it to my dad this trophy,” Kim said. “My dad really want to win this week.”

South Korea’s In Gee Chun, tied for the third-round lead with defending champion Lexi Thompson, had a 71 to finish third at 15 under. The U.S. Women’s Open champion bogeyed two of the first four holes.

Thompson, fighting back pain, shot a 72 to tie for fourth with top-ranked Lydia Ko at 14 under.

“The back is better the last two days,” Thompson said. “I had it taped up, so that wasn’t the issue. … I just didn’t putt well today. I had like 36 putts, I think, so that never helps out a scorecard. I still hit it pretty well, I thought. Just didn’t give myself too close birdie chances, but still didn’t hit that many good putts.”

Ko, coming off a playoff loss to Canada’s Brooke Henderson last week in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship outside Seattle, closed with a 68.

“I needed to have a really low one to try and catch up,” Ko said. “I just tried to focus on my game and just try and stay patient. All you can do is try the best you can and if the girls, like last week, if somebody plays good, you can’t do much about it.”

Ariya Jutanugarn, third last week after winning her previous three starts, tied for 18th at 7 under after a 68.

Alena Sharp led the Canadian contingent with a 71 to claim a share of 13th at 9 under. Henderson matched the Hamilton native’s score to tie for 21st at 6 under, and Maude-Aimée Leblanc of Sherbrooke, Que., finished T50.

Michelle Wie shot a 75 to tie for 56th at 1 under. She’s winless since the 2014 U.S. Women’s Open and hasn’t had a top-10 finish in 38 events.

CALGARY – Amateur Squad member Jared du Toit, 21, added another accolade to his resume on Saturday, winning the Glencoe Invitational by two strokes to take home the Crystal Keeper trophy.

du Toit, a Kimberley, B.C. product, opened the 54-hole event with a 2-under 70 to jump out to the early lead at the Glencoe Golf & Country Club. The Arizona State Sun Devil followed with matching rounds of 74 to close at 2-over for the tournament, securing the wire-to-wire victory over hometown native Emmett Oh. The 2015 B.C. Men’s Amateur Champion certainly made it interesting down the stretch, posting four bogeys and three birdies in his final nine.

With the win, du Toit adds to an impressive junior season at Arizona State, which saw him post five Top-10 NCAA Div I finishes. The victory also earns him exemptions into the final qualifier of the upcoming RBC Canadian Open on July 18 and a spot in the 2016 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship. As Team Canada’s lowest ranked male on the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR) at No. 67, du Toit is likely to have a few options into Canada’s open next month.

Click here for full scoring.

OAKMONT, Pa. – Shane Lowry kept his cool after a careless penalty and walked off Oakmont after a marathon Saturday with a two-shot lead in the U.S. Open.

Stalled by rain in the first round, the U.S. Open is nearly back on schedule and poised for a big finish.

Lowry, looking to give Irish golf its 10th major in the last 10 years, came within inches of his sixth birdie of the round on No. 14. He tapped in for par and headed back in when play was suspended by darkness.

He was at 5-under par and had to return Sunday morning to play the final four holes.

Two shots behind was 28-year-old Andrew Landry, in his first U.S. Open and playing like he knows how to cope with the toughest test in golf. Landry hasn’t flinched, even after tumbling down the leaderboard in his second round, and playing alongside Dustin Johnson in the third round. He had five holes left.

Right behind was a trio of players who feel overdue to win their first major.

That starts with Johnson, who had the 36-hole lead and started out like he wanted to run away from the field when he stuffed his approach to 5 feet below the hole for a birdie. But a chip that came back to his feet on No. 3 and led to double bogey stalled him, and Johnson started dropping shots.

He was at 2 under through 13 holes, still very much a factor as he tries to atone for his gaffe on the 18th hole at Chambers Bay last year in the U.S. Open. Also three shots back were Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia, who between them have played 142 majors without winning.

After two of the longest days, Sunday becomes somewhat of a sprint.

Jason Day began his big run early. The world’s No. 1 player opened with a 76 and first had to worry about making the cut. He did, with one shot to spare, and then went on a tear of four birdies in five holes to start his third round. Day posted a 69 in the morning and a 66 in the afternoon and at one point was within in four shots of the lead.

He was at 1-over 211 and left the course six shots behind.

Defending champion Jordan Spieth looked as though he might join him when he ran off three straight birdies. But the 22-year-old Texan fell back with a double bogey on No. 2 (his 11th hole) and had to settle for a 70 and was nine shots behind Lowry.

“Come out tomorrow and try to pull a Johnny Miller,” Spieth said.

Miller famously closed with a 63 at Oakmont to win the 1973 U.S. Open, which remains the greatest final round by a major champion. But the course was drenched that Sunday, and that won’t be the case now.

Even though Oakmont absorbed nearly 3 inches of rain on the opening day and remain soft enough for shots to spin ever so slightly, it was clear the hot sun began to bake it out and it likely will be fierce as usual for the final round.

The leader in the clubhouse when the day ended was Branden Grace, who last year at Chambers Bay was tied for the lead until he hit 3-wood onto the train track and out-of-bounds for a double bogey that cost him. Good news for the South African: A train can be heard from Oakmont, but not hit.

Grace pieced together a 66 to reach 1-under 209, four shots behind Lowry.

Lowry picked up his biggest win last summer a few hours away at Firestone when he won the Bridgestone Invitational. Now he’s primed for more Irish success. The run began with Padraig Harrington claiming three majors in 2007 and 2008, and has been carried by the Northern Ireland trio of Rory McIlroy (four majors), Graeme McDowell and Darren Clarke.

“We all know that this course can jump up and bite you in a split second,” Lowry said. “So year, I’m two ahead with 22 holes left. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. These are the best golfers in the world behind me. I have to go out there and do what I’ve been doing all week. I’m really looking forward to tomorrow. This is exactly where you want to be. I’ve been beating myself up over the last six months trying to get in this position.

“I’m here now. I might as well enjoy it while I’m here.”

It wasn’t so enjoyable earlier in the day when he was lining up a 30-foot birdie putt and nudged the ball with his putter. It moved ever so slightly, enough for Lowry to see, and he turned in disgust to call over an official, then held the putter behind his neck as if he wanted to snap it.

He took the one-shot penalty and then saved his mood with an 8-foot bogey putt.

“To hole that second putt was massive for me and massive for my whole day,” Lowry said.

Some of the best players weren’t around for the afternoon. McIlroy needed a par on the final hole to make the cut and took double bogey. Phil Mickelson, Rickie Fowler and Justin Rose also missed the cut.