U.S. Open 2015: Jason Day battles vertigo to claim joint lead carvomenthene

The Australian collapsed on the ninth hole of the Chambers Bay Golf Course Friday and looked to be struggling with dizziness on several occasions Saturday.

But five birdies on the back nine canceled out three earlier bogies to ensure a two-under-par round of 68 leaves Day tied atop the leaderboard alongside Dustin Johnson, Branden Grace and Jordan Spieth.

Day even fumbled the ball as he tried to place it on the green for his final putt of the day and looked like he was leaning on caddy Colin Swatton to remain upright.



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'I felt nauseous all day' said Day afterwards in comments carried by the tournament website.

'Last year, I (withdrew) after I had vertigo and this one was worse. I think the goal was just to go through today and see how it goes,' he added before leaving to receive medical attention and rest ahead of Sunday's final round.

Swatton, who doubles up as Day's swing coach, was effusive on his player's performance.

'I said you've got the heart of a lion. You're going to show the world today you're going to be the greatest you can be.'

'He just put his head down and kept walking one foot in front of the other. It was pretty impressive.'

The leading group is three shots clear of a chasing pack that includes former British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen, Cameron Smith, Shane Lowry and J.B. Holmes.

Holmes underwent brain surgery after struggling with symptoms including vertigo for several months in 2011 and offered an insight into Day's predicament.

'I had those types of symptoms. It was very difficult sometimes to even play,' he said.

'In one way it kind of makes it easier because you're trying to get to the next shot and you're staying very present. Whether he's feeling good or great, it's great playing.'

Day was seven shots back at one point but a mixture of fine shot-making combined with the inconsistent rounds of the overnight leaders saw him surge to the top of the field.

Spieth carded a one-over-par 71 that included four birdies and five bogies while Johnson shot five birdies, three bogeys and a double bogey to score level-par for the round.

Johnson later said he was 'right where I want to be' going into the final round while Spieth was frustrated at missed opportunities that could have given him an outright lead in his quest for a second straight major, having reached seven-under after a fast start.

Yet any sense of frustration felt by Spieth must have been multiplied many times over for Friday's co-leader Patrick Reed.

The American got off to an awful start, carding a bogey and two double bogeys on the first eight holes. He then commenced the back nine with another double bogey and a bogey before pulling back two shots with birdies on 13 and 15.

But another bogey on 17 ensured a six-over-par round of 76 leaving him five shots off the pace at one-over-par.

Reed is now tied with a pack of players including Henrik Stenson and Brandt Snedeker that will still fancy its chances should any of them start strongly Sunday.

Catching the likes of Day, Spieth, Grace and Johnson, however, will require at least the type of form that saw Reed shoot to the top of the leaderboard on Thursday and Friday.

Elsewhere Saturday, world number one Rory McIlroy shot a two-over-par 72 to leave him four-over for the tournament while the popular Matt Kuchar also carded a 72 to drop to two-over-par for the week.

Read: Tiger slips and heads home

'Last year, I (withdrew) after I had vertigo and this one was worse. I think the goal was just to go through today and see how it goes,' he added before leaving to receive medical attention and rest ahead of Sunday's final round. The Australian collapsed on the ninth hole of the Chambers Bay Golf Course Friday and looked to be struggling with dizziness on several occasions Saturday. 'In one way it kind of makes it easier because you're trying to get to the next shot and you're staying very present. Whether he's feeling good or great, it's great playing.' Swatton, who doubles up as Day's swing coach, was effusive on his player's performance. 'He just put his head down and kept walking one foot in front of the other. It was pretty impressive.' 'In one way it kind of makes it easier because you're trying to get to the next shot and you're staying very present. Whether he's feeling good or great, it's great playing.' Swatton, who doubles up as Day's swing coach, was effusive on his player's performance. 'I had those types of symptoms. It was very difficult sometimes to even play,' he said. Day was seven shots back at one point but a mixture of fine shot-making combined with the inconsistent rounds of the overnight leaders saw him surge to the top of the field. Catching the likes of Day, Spieth, Grace and Johnson, however, will require at least the type of form that saw Reed shoot to the top of the leaderboard on Thursday and Friday.

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