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Jason Day has played one of the most extraordinarily gutsy rounds in modern memory to lead the US Open.
Day, who was at long odds to even play today after collapsing with vertigo late in his second round yesterday, fired an astonishing one-under-par 69 to close within one of leader Dustin Johnson with a round to play.
The Queenslander, three times in the top four in four previous attempts at the US Open, almost certainly wouldn’t have played today had it not been a title he covets so much.
But after struggling through his bag on the practice range in the hour before his 1.55pm tee time and not being vertical until just before lunch, Day lit up the back nine with five birdies.
He’d been treated to huge receptions around the course from huge and appreciative galleries, but the roar when he knocked in a birdie from 2m on the last hole was deafening.
Making the feat even more remarkable, Day’s 68 was the second best round of the day, bettered only by Louis Oosthuizen’s 66 on a brutally tough Chambers Bay layout.
Day, at times, looked completely spent physically.
He struggled to even pick up his tee after his opening drive, desperate to maintain his equilibrium and balance.
But after battling through the front nine, the twice runner-up found something extra special on the back nine.
He birdied the 10th, 12th, 15th, 17th and 18th holes as the buzz of his achievement roared around the course.