Leishman’s push falters

A DAY of US Open carnage has sent Australian Marc Leishman tumbling down the leaderboard and ended with Dustin Johnson clinging desperately to a spot on top of it.

Shinnecock Hills took victim after victim, including Leishman, as Australia’s hopes peaked early before crashing spectacularly on day three in New York. Long shots with the bookies, Daniel Berger and Tony Finau started moving day 11 shots off the pace but, miraculously, played in the final group overnight. The American duo each shot four-under-par 66 in calmer morning conditions to share the 54-hole lead at three-over.

Berger and Finau were joined atop the leaderboard by defending champion Brooks Koepka (72) and 2016 US Open winner Johnson, who three-putted from 2m for bogey at the 18th to sign for 77. Former US Open champion Justin Rose shot 73 to take outright fifth at four over.

The third-round scoring average at the par-70 course on Long Island was 75.328, with only three players posting rounds under par.

It prompted Mike Davis, chief executive of tournament organiser the USGA, to appear on host broadcaster Fox Sports and admit officials blew it with the course set-up.

“It was a very tough test but probably too tough this afternoon,” Davis said, admitting the pin placements were too severe. “Well executed shots not only were not rewarded, but were penalised. Frankly, we missed it with the winds. It blew harder than we thought it would, and the speed of the greens were too much.”

World No. 14 Leishman picked up a shot early in his round, and moved within striking distance of then leader Johnson, before his collapse.