It also put him squarely in the mix to capture his first major.
Thomas leads the U.S. Open after shooting a 63 in the third round, matching the major record for low score.
The U.S. Open has traditionally had a reputation as the toughest test in golf, but benign conditions have turned this week's championship into a birdie-fest, much to the lament of former champion Johnny Miller. That made Saturday's score even more eye-opening.
"At 12 under par, I'd have a 10-shot lead at most (US) Opens". Now Paul's grandson has cemented his name in the championship's record book.
If his hot pink trousers were not enough, Thomas finished in style.
"Oh, gosh, Jimmy, be good", Thomas said to his caddie, Jimmy Johnson. The two-time European Tour victor is making just his eighth appearance in a major championship and is looking for a maiden PGA Tour win in his second US Open.
"The finish was awesome".
"It's what I believe in myself", Stricker said.
Thomas carded a sensational, 9 under 63 at Erin Hills on Saturday to move firmly into contention at the year's second major.
"This is a tough course for me", Stricker said.
"I'm not sure when it's going to sink in or when I'm going to realise what I did", he told a news conference.
Putin says U.S. sanctions will 'complicate relations'
The measure also asserts a role for Congress if the White House opts to ease any sanctions against Moscow. The vote was 97 to 2 for the legislation, filed as an amendment to an Iran sanctions bill.
"I was just trying to have half as good a round as Rickie had", said Casey, who played in the afternoon.
"It was definitely conducive for good scores today".
And he still has a long way to go.
The 24-year-old Thomas eagled the par-5 18th for just the fifth 63 in U.S. Open history. Five players are at double-digit under par through 54 holes.
Kaymer got the good end of the draw when rain arrived at Pinehurst No. 2, and he opened with rounds of 65-65 to reach 10-under 130 and build a six-shot lead going into the weekend. He got that up-and-down for a bogey and a 68. He was 10 under. It looks like he could swing the club with a plate on top of his head that would not fall off. Wish I could have done that. "I just get a little shaky and jittery on putts and that's what happened on 15".
Not to be overlooked was Si Woo Kim, who captured The Players Championship last month.
He floated a wedge shot to three feet to escape with his only bogey of the round. Furyk was never seriously challenged in the final round, and he wound up winning by three shots and matching what was then the U.S. Open record at 272.
The U.S. Open didn't seem to faze him, and he delivered a variety of big shots that led to his sensational finish. Make no mistake, though, the most important reason Stricker is still working hard is because he hasn't given up on adding to those 12 victories on his PGA Tour resume.
He then drilled a 300-yard second shot to around eight feet before rolling in his eagle putt to roars from the galleries. Hopefully I do. I'll take it one step at a time.
But the work is not done. And if that's not enough of a traffic jam at the top, 18 players are separated by three shots to start the third round.
Comments