Oakmont isn’t just any golf course—it’s one of those places that tests your patience, your swing, and, frankly, your sanity.

And for a guy like Tyrrell Hatton, who’s got a bit of a reputation for fiery outbursts on the course, you’d expect it to bring out his worst.

But this week, something surprising is happening.

Hatton Stays Cool and Contends in the Chaos

With just one round left in the U.S. Open, Hatton is only five shots off the lead, sitting at one over par after a tidy 68.

That’s not just a good score—it’s a cool-headed performance on a course known for chewing up even the best.

For the famously animated Brit, it’s been a display of some of the best golf of his career and some serious self-control.

His closest brush with frustration? A light tap on the putter after missing a birdie on 16. Mild stuff by Hatton standards.

As he put it with a laugh, “Everyone has a head-off at the U.S. Open, so it brings them down to my level for a week.”

Precision Drives and Sharp Play Power His Progress

So what’s working for Hatton this week? His tee-to-green game is on point—always his strong suit.

At Oakmont, where accuracy is everything, he hit 13 of 14 fairways, which set him up for five birdies and gave him enough breathing room to absorb a double bogey on the 15th.

And with the majors now carrying more weight for him since his move to LIV Golf, he knows how much is riding on a strong finish.

“I’d love to go out there and have another day like today. There’s a lot to play for,” he said.

Burns, Spaun, and the Rest of the Pack Add Drama

Of course, chasing down Sam Burns is no small task.

The American, who’s been steady all week, carded a 69 and holds the lead heading into Sunday.

He’s bunking with his buddy Scottie Scheffler this week—a little detail that gives the whole thing a homey twist.

Meanwhile, JJ Spaun is clinging to contention, defying expectations after leading early on.

He’s tied with Adam Scott, who’s aiming for a career revival at 44.

Viktor Hovland is also lurking, just three back, making this final round anyone’s game.

McIlroy Struggles While Oakmont Draws Mixed Reviews

Not everyone is enjoying Oakmont’s brutal layout.

Rory McIlroy, for one, had a rough go with a 74, leaving him at 10 over and ready to head home.

Scheffler is slightly better off at four over, and Scotland’s Bob MacIntyre sits at three.

But it was Matt Fitzpatrick who spoke out loud what many might be thinking.

After a challenging round, he slammed the course setup as “unfair,” saying it punishes players too harshly—even when they’re only slightly off the fairway.

Fitzpatrick Speaks Out Against Harsh Conditions

Fitzpatrick’s criticism was pointed. “There’s hard that’s fair and then there’s just unfair,” he told Mail Sport.

He pointed out that a ball landing just a few inches off the fairway could be penalized more than one that’s way off target, especially with the extreme greens.

“I’m a big fan of the USGA, I’ve played 11 U.S. Opens.

But I think this crosses a line,” he said.

And while he acknowledged that some fans love watching pros shoot over par, he questioned whether the setup needed to be pushed this far.

No One Is Out of This Yet—Hatton Included

Given Oakmont’s unpredictable nature, no one in the chasing group can be ruled out—including Hatton.

With the course punishing mistakes and the leaderboard still tight, the final round promises to be as tense as it is unpredictable.

And if the guy once known for mid-round meltdowns keeps his cool again? Well, Tyrrell Hatton might just walk away from this madness with his first major title—and a story that even he couldn’t have scripted better.