3 Things to Know: 46th U.S. Senior Open, Rounds 3 and 4

Now that the cut has been made at the 46th U.S. Senior Open Championship at historic Scioto Country Club to the low 60 scorers and ties, the focus can officially be on who might hoist the Francis D. Ouimet Memorial Trophy on Sunday afternoon.

Considering the weather conditions the field has faced this week, all 60 of the weekend competitors will literally be sweating it out over the final 36 holes. Temperatures are once again expected into the 90s, and because of the possibility of an afternoon thunderstorm, tee times were pushed forward so the third round could be completed without interruption.

The golf has been sizzling as well. George McNeill, following a championship-best 66 on Friday, leads defending champion Padraig Harrington by two strokes.

But weekend pressure at any USGA Open competition always brings out intensity. The player who can successfully navigate the challenging conditions at Scioto – both mentally and physically – and can handle sweltering heat will be the next U.S. Senior Open champion.

Here are three things to know for the weekend:

 Chasing Pack

Behind 36-hole leader George McNeill is a plethora of world-class senior players hoping to apply pressure on the 50-year-old Floridian. The Florida State product won’t have to look far on Saturday to see a pair of main threats. Harrington won a pair of senior majors in 2025: the U.S. Senior Open at The Broadmoor and The Senior Open Championship at Sunningdale Golf Club, in England.

Then there’s Cink, who has been the hottest player on the PGA Tour Champions in 2026 with a pair of major titles in his portfolio, the Senior PGA Championship and Regions Tradition. A third straight major would match what Steve Stricker did in 2019.

But those aren’t the only two players McNeill has to be concerned with as Round 3 commences. Never count out 62-year-old Miguel Angel Jimenez, a four-time winner in 2025 who never seems to age. The Spaniard’s warm-up routine is worth the price of admission complete with his patented cigar. Jimenez, the co-runner-up at Scioto 10 years ago with Billy Mayfair, has been close several times in majors. He finished third a year ago at The Broadmoor with a late Sunday charge (6-under 64). He’s never missed a cut in 11 starts with six top-10 finishes.

Two U.S. Senior Open first-timers (major champion Henrik Stenson and Tommy Gainey) are also within four strokes of the lead, and another (Ian Poulter) is five back. Then there’s Charlie Wi, who is seeking his first victory as a senior. All the Korean-born Wi has done the first two days is lead the field in birdies with 11.

It all points to an exciting finish. Heck, fireworks aren’t just reserved for nocturnal entertainment.

Eight Is Plenty Enough

While the 521-yard, par-4 eighth hole (that was the length for Round 2; it is measuring 508 for the third round), which is played as a par 5 for the membership, comes midway through the round, this brute could play a key role in the final outcome. On Thursday, Wi was in the midst of making five consecutive birdies and shooting the lowest round ever during a U.S. Senior Open at Scioto when he came to No. 8. From the fairway, Wi pulled his approach shot into the penalty area, leading to a double bogey.

Statistically, it’s been the most difficult hole through the first two rounds, playing to a stroke average of 4.53. Only 13 birdies have been recorded here against 114 bogeys, 29 double bogeys and one “other.”

George McNeill has navigated it well, making a 4 both days, and so has Padraig Harrington and Stewart Cink.

Those players who can pencil in a par on their card at this hole will have a shot up on the rest of the field.

 Amateur Heaven

For the first time since the 2023 championship at SentryWorld, an amateur has survived the cut. Haymes Snedeker, of Point Clear, Ala., and the older brother of 10-time PGA Tour winner Brandt Snedeker outdueled the 17 other amateurs in the field to earn weekend tee times.

As long as the former lawyer-turned-real-estate developer/commercial construction executive can complete 72 holes, he will be honored at the prize ceremony on Sunday with a medal and recognition of the feat. But Snedeker will receive more than a nice medal for his accomplishment. Exemptions into next month’s U.S. Amateur at Merion Golf Club and the U.S. Mid-Amateur at Sand Valley in September await the 50-year-old. He also receives a spot in the 2027 U.S. Senior Open at Oak Tree National Golf Club, in Edmond, Okla.

Not bad for someone who wasn’t even in the field until last week. When Tiger Woods withdrew, Snedeker, the first alternate out of the Pearland, Texas, final qualifier, was next on the USGA’s allotment list.

Senior golf offers a second chance. Snedeker got the ultimate mulligan.

David Shefter is a senior staff writer for the USGA. Email him at dshefter@usga.org.