OAKMONT, Pa. -- "Over? Did you say over?" After another marathon day for some, less than half a day for others, this grade thing is maddening on days like Saturday. I'm not complaining, just saying grading a player for two holes versus another for 36 gets a little weird.
But those who get to play Sunday are going to get Oakmont Country Club in its full, brutal U.S. Open form. Enjoy Saturday's grades!
Grade: A-minus
World ranking: No. 1
Score: 76-69-66 (+1 overall)
Tied the round of the day with a 66, but he had to play 21 holes on Saturday. Before Round 3 started, Day made three straight pars to finish Round 2. The best player in golf is six shots and, more importantly, only seven guys behind his second major championship. And he's the one they should all be afraid of.
Grade: C-plus
World ranking: No. 2
Score: 72-72-70 (+4 overall)
It was a long day for Jordan. For the first 18 holes, my grade would have been a D-plus, as he looked like the frustrated Spieth we don't enjoy watching from the sixth hole on. But the second-18 grade was a B for grinding out an even-par round, even though he hit fewer fairways. It's going to take a small miracle to become a contender Sunday, but ...
Grade: C-minus
World ranking: No. 3
Score: 77-71-MC (+8)
I want to fail Rory so bad, but he played an almost flawless first nine. So I'm working out an A for his first nine (bogey-free 4-under) and an F- for his back nine (one bogey and two doubles). The minus is because the double on the last hole cost him the cut. Right now, McIlroy is about as consistent as a local weatherman without a Doppler radar.
Grade: D-minus
World ranking: No. 4
Score: 69-76-72 (+7 overall)
If Bubba didn't have to play the front nine on this golf course, he'd be awesome. During the two rounds he played Saturday, he made zero birdies, eight bogeys and a double - 10-over on just half of the golf course for two rounds. What's a shame is Bubba started the day at 1-under. I'm happy he made the "weekend" but disappointed he won't be a factor.
Grade: F
World ranking: No. 5
Score: 76-75-MC (+11)
It seemed as if Rickie had righted the ship, shooting even-par on his first nine, but then came his second nine: three bogeys and a double for the not-so-awe-inspiring 40. Fowler is going home after missing his second straight cut in a major. Yes, I'm scratching my head too.
Grade: B-minus
World ranking: No. 6
Score: 67-69 (+2 through 13 holes; -2 overall)
It must have been nice for DJ to sleep in this morning while other players had early wake-up calls. As for the 13 holes he played, some people might think Dustin was starting to falter. Not me. I see the look in his eyes when he makes those great par saves. The confidence is growing. What I need to see is that same trust and confidence in that putter when the putts are for birdie.
Grade: F
World ranking: No. 7
Score: 69-WD
Since Stenson WD'd from the U.S. Open with "minor" issues -- yet said on Twitter he hopes to be back playing next week -- I think what hurts the most are his feelings after another major championship mentally beat him up.
Grade: C-plus
World ranking: No. 8
Score: 71-69 (+2 through 17 holes; +2 overall)
Scott came back in the morning and played three holes at even-par to finish his second round. Solid B grade there. Then, in the afternoon, he played 17 holes at 2-over, but had no double bogeys and the birdie on the 17th was almost in darkness. What scares me for Adam? For the third round, he has only hit four fairways and nine greens! No way smoke and mirrors like that will hold up Sunday at Oakmont.
Grade: B-minus
World ranking: No. 9
Score: 75-70-73 (+8 overall)
Cheers, mate! The first 18 started great, but a double bogey on the 15th crashed his momentum, and it was a grind from then on out. That kick in the tail was just what the Masters champ needed -- and 36 holes to grind away on. The B-minus comes because I understand just what the combined 36 holes and heat at the U.S. Open means. I also attribute the bogeys on his 34th and 35th holes to likely exhaustion.
Grade: F
World ranking: No. 10
Score: 72-76-MC (+8)
Two pars. That's all Justin needed to make the cut and play the weekend. One hole, the 17th, is a reachable par-4 that played as the easiest in the second round. The fact that Rose went bogey-bogey to finish and miss the cut gives me a disappointment I didn't expect to have from the man who won at Merion.
Grade: A-plus
World ranking: No. 41
Score: 68-70 (-3 through 14 holes; -5 overall)
If I told you Lowry was going to play 33 holes in over 80-degree heat at Oakmont, shoot even-par over the first 18 holes and then turn around and play the next 15 holes at 3-under, you'd ask how long I was in the sun. Lowry is hitting 72 percent of his greens, giving himself good looks at birdie. First-time winner at Oakmont? We'll see.
Grade: B-plus
World ranking: No. 30
Score: 67-72 (-1 through 15 holes; -2 overall)
Mama! There Westwood goes giving us hope again! Even though he shot 2-over for his second round on Saturday, he combined six bogeys with four birdies. Now, Lee knows where he's at and he's grinding, holing out from the fairway and through 15 holes at least. Cinderella can hear the music at the ball. So far in the third round, he's hitting greens and fairways, which needs to continue if he's finally going to win the major that has eluded him.
Grade: A-plus
World ranking: No. 624
Score: 66-71 (Even par through 13 holes; -3 overall)
After his shaky start on the front nine of his second round, Landry has played like that guy at the dance club that everyone makes fun of until that one jam comes on and he out-dances everyone in the place. So, he has 66 percent of fairways and 71 percent of greens with only 78 putts so far! Whatever song Landry is jamming to in his head, I hope it keeps playing for one more day! Who wants to dance?