U.S. Open third round: What the leaders need to do on the weekend

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PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 14: Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa plays a shot from the 13th tee during the second round of the 2019 U.S. Open at Pebble Beach Golf Links on June 14, 2019 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Louis Oosthuizen – Be more consistent

Louis Oosthuizen had quite the adventurous finish to his second round on Friday. The South African made just one par on the back-nine, with four birdies to go along with four bogeys. He ended the round on a high note, however, making a 24-foot putt for birdie at the difficult par-three 17th.

If not for that finish, Oosthuizen might be in the lead after 36 holes. He was tied for Justin Rose at one point on Friday before finishing three shots off the lead at six-under going into the weekend.

Oosthuizen has had plenty of opportunities to win major championships before. The 2010 Open Champion at St. Andrews, he’s one of only eight players to finish runner-up at all four majors in his career. So far this week he’s putting himself in position to add a second major to his resume.

Oosthuizen ranks third in the field at Pebble Beach in putts per green through two rounds and is fourth in strokes gained: putting. On Friday he hit 12 of 14 fairways and was sixth in the field off the tee. But he’s also made seven bogeys.

If he can get that erratic play under control on the weekend, he’ll be right there in contention come Sunday.

Oosthuizen begins his third round at 2:34 p.m. local time (5:34 EST) with Aaron Wise.

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