U.S Open star stays at Shinnecock Hills despite | Golf News

Viktor Hovland returned to the observe vary at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club on Saturday, despite being eradicated from the event by a single stroke the day gone by.

The European Ryder Cup standout, who was in rivalry on Sunday at last yr’s U.S. Open, carded rounds of 76 and 69, with his opening spherical proving too expensive to overcome.

He wasn’t alone among high-profile casualties, however, as LIV Golf gamers Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau also made early exits Friday night. Yet while most eradicated rivals would have already headed home, Hovland selected to return to the course.

The Norwegian was noticed sharpening his sport as fellow Ryder Cup teammates Tommy Fleetwood and Ludvig Aberg teed off together.

Notably absent from the course was DeChambeau, who missed the cut at a major for the third consecutive time, as uncertainty continues to encompass his current tour’s future.

“I’m feeling pretty good,” DeChambeau had remarked following his opening spherical.

“You know, golf game is in a solid place. Just more of the same, being strategic and hitting that driver when I can, but really trying to be strategic out here, much like Pinehurst.

“Middle of the greens, give myself 20-footers, and hopefully a couple will drop, and do not put myself in dangerous locations.

“I feel like I did a decent job of that today. So my goal is more of the same today for tomorrow.”

Despite his optimism, the two-time U.S. Open champion slid down the leaderboard, ending five-over par.

European Ryder Cup standout and World No.2 Rory McIlroy teed off on Saturday after partnering with Aberg and Fleetwood during the opening two rounds.

The trio competed together in 2025 at Bethpage Black, where they claimed the Ryder Cup trophy, securing Europe’s first away victory since 2012. Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler is also in pursuit of the profession grand slam this week.