McIlroy fires back in war of words with ex-PGA champ Steve

Tommy Fleetwood and caddie Ian Finnis at Erin Hills. entire field was separated by just eight there. But I think with how long the course shots – but for the first time since the is and how long the days are, I won’t rankings were introduced in 1986, none of worry.” the world’s top three would be around for Speaking about the changes he made last the weekend. year, Fleetwood added: “I went back to my

Jason Day’s second-round 75 left him 10 old coach and had one of my best mates over, while world No. 1 and defending caddying and I think that can’t be champion Dustin Johnson finished fourunderestimated, having your friend with over to join McIlroy in missing out. you, whether you’re leading the US Open or

Fleetwood was a lowly 188th in the playing a casual round at home. rankings last September, but has reaped “I think those two things and a lot of hard the rewards of returning to his former work have got me here really. I think it’s easy coach Alan Thompson and employing his to lose track. It’s very easy to take off on your friend Ian Finnis as his caddie. own path, and before you know it, you’re

The 26- year- old from Southport, who too far down there and it’s a long way back. finished a shot ahead of Johnson to claim “We have come back sooner than I his second European Tour title in Abu thought, so that’s been nice really.” Dhabi in January, said before teeing off for With the two Britons in the early stages of yesterday’s third round: “It’s going to be their third rounds, Texan Patrick Reed great. hoisted himself to the top of the pile as he

“I’ve never done this before. I’ve never a grabbed the lead in the clubhouse on an led US Open, so it will be a very cool eight-under-par total of 208. experience. It’s still Saturday, 36 holes is a Scotland’s Martin Laird fired an even-par very long time in a US Open. round of 72 to sit on one- under for the

“There are always ups and downs out Championship.

Leona Maguire.

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