NEWS AND NOTES

Spieth recovers with solid finish

This is more like it for Jordan Spieth at a major.

He shot a 69 to finish at 1 over for the Open.

Spieth was well off the lead, but seemed to be feeling better with his game after shooting 76 in the third round.

When asked to rate his confidence level, Spieth assigned himself a “B,” though he graded himself at an “A” with his putter.

“I feel really good about just about everything else,” Spieth said. “I’ve just got to get on the greens and have that cup start to look a bit bigger.”

Maybe last Open for ex-champ Els

Weekend rain softened the greens at Erin Hills. When the wind picked up Sunday, Ernie Els thought of another major championship.

“Today is more like a British Open but they were soft conditions,” said the Big Easy, who shot a 74 to finish at 7 over. “So you had to play different shots and the wind is really blustery out there.”

The 47-year-old South African has played in just about every imaginable condition over a 23-year tour career.

It has been 20 years since Els won the U.S. Open at Congressional. He also won the Open in 1994, as well as the British Open in 2002 and 2012. That victory five years ago at Royal Latham was his last tour win. His five-year exemption in the majors is running out this year.

But Els seems at peace with his career. “I’ve played 25 of them, and if I play another great. If not, it’s fine. It’s been a good ride,” Els said.

Scheffler earns amateur honors

Scottie Scheffler was the low amateur at 1 under after a closing 73.

This has been quite the confidence-building experience for the 20-year-old who plays at Texas. His sister, Callie, served as his caddie.

“Being an amateur in the U.S. Open is very cool,” Scheffler said.

Cameron Champ, the only other amateur to make the cut, shot a 76 to finish even.

Weather takes a windy turn

After a warm and humid week with gentle breezes, Erin Hills was a different kind of animal Sunday. The wind was whipping out of the west-northwest at 15-20 mph and gusting to 25 mph and beyond.

A U.S. Golf Association official said this would be the windiest final round in the U.S. Open since 1992, when Tom Kite won.

The USGA made accommodations for the wind in its course set-up and even changed the pin position on the par-3 13th hole.

No. 18 features Palmer tribute

The 18th hole at Erin Hills had a special flag for the final round.

The flag commemorated the late Arnold Palmer’s win at the 1960 U.S. Open at Cherry Hills. It featured a silhouette of Palmer in mid-stride, tossing his visor in the air.