Jeev joint 59th after third round in US Open

Mamaroneck, New York, June 18 (UNI) Jeev Milkha Singh lost the plot in the fairways and stuttered to a seven-over 77, his worst round so far, to be tied for 59th after the penultimate round in the US Open.

After rounds of 73, 76 and 77 in the challenging Winged Foot Golf Club, Jeev has a three-day total of 16-over 226 and he would have to arrest the steady slump in his form and come up with something special for a decent finish in his second appearance at the Open.

Jeev sunk one birdie in each nine preceded by a nervy start that saw him bogeying the third and fourth holes. Groping for the fairways, he dropped a shot again on the eighth, double bogeyed the par-four ninth for the second consecutive day, was unlucky at 13th -- dropping a shot there. And as if he had not enough setbacks, the Asian Tour UBS Order of Merit leader signed off with a bogey-hattrick.

The forgettable third round left much to be desired and the Volvo China Open winner made it clear that he was not exactly happy.

''Today I did not hit the fairways and that was the reason for my high score. The rough was brutal too. The last three holes are very tough as I could not finish my round well,'' he rued.

''I am not really satisfied because I could have done better. I like this golf course since I always like playing on tough courses.

Overall, the reason for my mediocre performance was not being able to find the fairways but I hope for a better round and to finish off strongly,'' he said.

World number two Phil Mickelson fired a pair of birdies during a charging finish on his back nine to tie Briton Kenneth Ferrie for the lead at two-over 212.

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