Sam Burns navigated a challenging, rain-soaked third round at Oakmont Country Club to maintain his lead at the U.S. Open. He carded a 69 to finish at 4-under par, positioning himself one stroke ahead of his closest competitors, Adam Scott and J.J. Spaun, as he heads into the final round.

The course, already a formidable test, presented even greater difficulties due to persistent rain, making club selection and course management crucial. Burns demonstrated remarkable composure and resilience, consistently saving par and capitalizing on birdie opportunities when they arose.

Burns began the day with a bogey on the 2nd hole but quickly recovered with a birdie on the 5th. He then strung together a series of pars before a birdie on the 13th moved him to -4. A three-putt bogey on the 16th, his first of the tournament, briefly set him back, but he responded brilliantly on the 17th. His approach landed just short of the greenside bunker, and a delicate pitch shot left him with a tap-in birdie, regaining the solo lead. A steady par on the 18th secured his position at the top of the leaderboard.

Adam Scott, the 2013 Masters champion, posted a stellar 67 to climb into a tie for second place. The 44-year-old veteran seeks his second major title and aims to become the second-oldest U.S. Open winner, following Hale Irwin's victory in 1990 at the age of 45. Spaun, who shared the first-round lead, also finds himself just one stroke back after a 69. Viktor Hovland is the only other player under par, standing at 1-under after a round of 70.

Burns, currently ranked 22nd in the world, is seeking his first major championship victory. His best finish in a major came at last year's U.S. Open, where he tied for ninth. While Burns admitted his drives weren't ideal, he expressed satisfaction with his ability to recover from challenging positions. His strategy of prioritizing fairways and relying on his wedge game proved effective in navigating the treacherous Oakmont layout.

Looking ahead to the final round, Burns will be paired with Adam Scott, while Spaun will play alongside Viktor Hovland. The challenging conditions and the pressure of a major championship are sure to create a compelling final round as Burns attempts to hold steady and capture his first major title.