Peter Cowen column: Back nine on Sunday will decide on the US Open champion

Brookline: As we welcome ‘moving day’ of the third Major of the year here in the US, the 122nd US Open from The Country Club, Brookline, Massachusetts, the wind has turned dramatically to the north-west and it is perhaps three times as strong as in the previous two rounds - and it is so much cooler, sweater weather, at least. The locals tell it will continue to blow all afternoon, numbers of 30-35 mph are predicted.

A totally different golf course that will test all the 65 players in the field. level par will be a decent score in my opinion, and will not lose too much ground.

With no rain or the like, as was forecast, the course is running fast with firmer greens as the week continues. The USGA will love this as they set up the golf course, and perhaps place the pins a little tougher as there are no slow-play worries with a restricted field.

For the first two days I have been, once again, impressed with Matt Fitzpatrick (England). He is maturing in front of our eyes. He is only three back as we tee off in the third round in tied 13th.

A glance at his season’s 2022 statistics on the PGA Tour shows us all, especially to himself, that he is ready to go to the next level.

Strokes

Gained around greens 97 18

Scrambling 130 4

Scrambling

(From rough) 131 2

Scrambling

(10-20 yards) 138 4

These statistics are ideal to play a US Open golf course set-up.

My other players: Thomas Pieters (Belgium) and Brooks Koepka (US) are both on level par after 36 holes, having shot 68 and 67 respectively, in their second rounds.

Both have a powerful game to manage the 7,204 yards, par 70 course. This is only the fourth time this course has hosted a major, the last occasion was in 1988, the first of back-to-back US Opens won by Curtis Strange (US). Prior to that it was part of golfing history in 1963 and 1913. It also hosted the 1999 Ryder Cup, and is acknowledged as the oldest country club in the US, established in 1882, and one of the five charter clubs that founded the USGA.

I am also impressed that four amateurs have made it to the weekend. It just shows the strength in depth of the game. I cannot remember the last time four players made the cut at a major. Patience will be an essential skill to do well and win over this weekend.

Who will be crowned the champion tomorrow (Sunday) evening?

The top 30 players are all within five shots of the lead. That is nothing and double bogeys or even worse can come from nowhere. It is a genuinely open US Open with thick rough, especially around the greens.

You cannot ignore Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy - who is looking mentally and physically strong.

It will all come down to the back nine on Sunday and I will be surprised if we do not see McIlroy, Fitzpatrick, Pieters and Koepka all in the mix.

Good luck to all. It will certainly be a fun watch!

- Peter Cowen is a 71 year-old Dubai Golden Visa awardees, regarded as one of the leading golf coaches of the world. The Englishman is based in Rotherham, England and has Peter Cowen Academies in Dubai - at Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, Emirates Golf Club and Jumeirah Golf Estates.