Dylan Wu faced a challenging start to his third round at the U.S. Open on Saturday, enduring difficult conditions at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in eastern Long Island. After narrowly making the cut with a clutch 7-foot bogey putt, Wu was tasked with leading off the weekend play but struggled immediately with the swirling winds and demanding course setup.

Wu’s round began on a difficult note as he five-putted the first hole, resulting in a quadruple bogey. The winds, estimated at 23 to 24 mph with gusts up to 35 mph, hampered his distance and control, limiting his opening drive to 224 yards. Despite his efforts, Wu found little success on the green, leaving several putts short and never quite finding the hole until finally tapping in to complete the hole.

“It was just kind of laughable,” Wu said after the round. “You kind of just have to laugh it off because you’re still trying, but you get to a point where you can’t really get too frustrated. It’s a great place, a great test of golf. It’s still a great place to play on Saturday.”

The difficult weather persisted throughout the early afternoon as Wu and his playing partner, Jacob Bridgeman, completed their rounds. Bridgeman recorded a 4-over 74 in similar conditions, while Wu finished the day with a 12-over 82, reflecting the challenge presented by the strong winds and tough course setup.

The Shinnecock Hills layout, known for its difficulty and championship pedigree, tested the players’ precision and patience, especially under the blustery conditions that added an extra layer of complexity to the U.S. Open’s third round. Despite the setback, Wu remained composed and maintained a lighthearted attitude in the face of adversity, focused on the opportunity to continue competing on one of golf’s most storied venues.