HOYLAKE, England — Cameron Young soldiers on.
The 26-year-old from Westchester County, who cut his teeth in the game playing at Sleepy Hollow Country Club in Briarcliff Manor, is in position again as he seeks his first career PGA Tour victory.
As happened a year ago at the 150th British Open at St. Andrews, Young will be facing a rather heavy deficit entering the final round of the 151st Open at Royal Liverpool on Sunday.
He’ll start the day in second place at 7-under, but five shots behind leader Brian Harman, who’s at 12-under.
Last year, Young was four off the lead entering the final round and shot 65.
All that prevented him from capturing the claret jug was Cam Smith, who shot 64 to win.
Along with that runner-up at the British Open last year, Young finished tied for third and a mere shot out of a playoff at the 2022 PGA Championship.
He also finished tied for seventh this year at the Masters.
“I’ve been near the lead plenty,’’ Young said. “It’s just a general kind of building of evidence and experience that I can lean on. Playing links golf is different, and I think it’s fun. I was excited to get over here and play. I really enjoy this kind of golf, and I’ve had a good time playing this week.’’
Young said he likes the way he has played this week.
“My iron play has been great,” he said. “I’ve just hit a lot of greens and given myself plenty of chances.
“Honestly, I’ve putted really nicely, too. I feel like I’ve really had pretty good control of my game on the whole.’’
Quietly, the Fitzpatrick brothers of Sheffield, England, have been having a hell of a week.
Matthew Fitzpatrick, the 2022 U.S. Open winner, had talked down his ability on links courses before the British Open and said a top-30 would be a good finish for him.
The 28-year-old shot 67 on Saturday to stand at 2-under.
His younger brother, 24-year-old Alex Fitzpatrick, who turned pro earlier this year and is playing in his first major championship, shot 65 on Saturday and enters the final round tied for ninth at 4-under.
“Super special round,’’ Alex said. “I’m not familiar with this environment and the amount of people out here, but me and my caddie had a great time out there and things went our way, which was super cool. I’m just a bit lost for words really.
“I’ve played two Walker Cups now, so I feel like for the most part, you understand you play in front of a lot of people and you’re put under pressure a lot, but this was a bit more of a different feel. The likes of so many people and the importance of the event creeps into your mind a little bit. I said this at the start of the week, I’m here to enjoy myself and it didn’t matter how I did.
“At the end of the day it’s been an amazing week, and memories that I’ll always remember. Being with my brother and my family and all that sort of stuff, it’s been a super cool week. I hope to do more of these as the years go by.’’
Matthew said he told their parents “to go focus on’’ Alex during the third round, adding: “That’s more important. This is my ninth [Open], so they’ve seen all nine of those. This is his first, so that’s more important.’’
Max Homa was paired with Rory McIlroy on Saturday and called it “chaotic,’’ with people moving once he hits.
“With all the craziness going on, I thought I played a solid round of golf,’’ Homa said after he shot 70. “I kind of like the yelling because it makes me laugh. I had a guy yell at me, ‘Hurry up, no one is watching you anyways today,’ which I quite like, if I’m being honest.’’
Barring a miracle, the defending Open champion will not win this year. Cam Smith, who authored a final-round 64 to win the Open last year at St Andrews, stands on 1-under for the tournament and is 11 shots behind leader Harman entering the final round.
“I just didn’t hole as many putts as I would have liked,’’ Smith said. “[I’m] still probably a little bit too far back. It’s just a tough golf course. You hit quality after quality shot, and if you don’t, it penalizes you really quickly.
“That’s the sign of a good golf course, I think.’’