The 1987 U.S. Open was the 87th U.S. Open, held June 18–21 at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, California. Scott Simpsonpassed and held off 1982 champion Tom Watson on the Lake Course to win his only major title by one stroke. Eleven former champions were in the field and only four made the 36-hole cut. This was the third U.S. Open at the Lake Course of the Olympic Club, the previous two in 1955 and 1966 ended in playoffs. The U.S. Open returned in 1998 and 2012; both were won by one stroke.
The 3rd round of the 1987 US Open was played on June 20th….as Tom Watson and Mark Wiebe were leading the tournament entering the 3rd round at -3….followed by John Cook, Tsunejyki Nakajima, Jack Nicklaus, Bernhard Langer and Jim Thorpe at -2….with Ben Crenshaw, Bob Eastwood, Larry Mize and Scott Simpson at – 1. The day would end with Tom Watson in the lead by one stroke at -1….followed by Scott Simpson and Keith Clearwater (who shot a 64 for the 3rd round) at -1….with Lennie Clements at even par….and Seve Ballesteros, Ben Crenshaw, Bernhard Langer, John Mahaffey, Larry Mize and Jim Thorpe at +1….in lining up for the final round on June 21st….for as with all US Open Championships…..staying under par presented a big challenge on this the 3rd round.
