54-hole co-leader Mackenzie Hughes and caddie, Jace Walker, ready for U.S. Open final round

Mackenzie Hughes lines up a putt on the fourth green with caddie Jace Walker during the third round of the U.S. Open. Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Saturday at the U.S. Open saw some exciting moments throughout, and Mackenzie Hughes shot a 3-under 68 punctuated with the eagle putt from the back of the 13th green (like Tiger in 2008โ€™s third round) to vault into todayโ€™s final group at 5 under.

Hughes shares the 54-hole lead at Torrey Pines with Louis Oosthuizen and Russell Henley โ€” two shots clear of Rory McIlroy and defending champ Bryson DeChambeau.

โ€œThat eagle putt on 13 was kind of the big boost that got us fired up,โ€ Hughesโ€™ caddie, Jace Walker said. โ€œWhen those moments happen it almost feels like youโ€™re playing again (Walker played professionally for a few years). Youโ€™re so into the moment, youโ€™re so into the putt, you just want him to do well. How loud the crowd was, it gives you chills when stuff like that happens. He hit a great putt and it was pretty electric out there when that thing went in.โ€

Walker had a great time in the third round U.S. Open atmosphere all day, and he was happy with his playerโ€™s consistent play.

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โ€œIt was amazing out there (Saturday), it was probably one of the funnest days Iโ€™ve had caddying,โ€ Walker said. โ€œHe played obviously amazing and heโ€™s got a chance to win the U.S. Open, so itโ€™s kind of exciting. I like how he handled himself, like nothing bothered him. He just stayed very composed and confident the whole day.โ€

Todayโ€™s final round and final grouping will be the biggest moment of Hughes and Walkerโ€™s careers without a doubt, and Walker is excited for the challenge it will bring.

โ€œYeah, Iโ€™m very excited, and Mackenzieโ€™s confident right now, heโ€™s swinging it so well that I canโ€™t wait to get to the first tee,โ€ Walker said. โ€œI wish we could just keep playing. I know heโ€™s going to bring that same attitude and that confidence and weโ€™ll see what we can do.โ€

So how does his player seem with the situation ahead of him today?

โ€œHeโ€™s confident, heโ€™s more comfortable trying to win a tournament than trying to make a cut,โ€ Walker said. โ€œThe closer he is to the lead, the better he is. Some guys are the opposite. But Iโ€™ve known Mackenzie 15 years and in the biggest moments he actually gets better, so Iโ€™m looking forward to it.โ€

Hughes and Walker will be in the final pairing with major champion Oosthuizen, and Walker likes that position for his player.

โ€œWeโ€™d rather be there than anywhere else. Itโ€™s nice. Weโ€™ll get to all of the shots in front of us. Itโ€™s obviously where you want to be, and I think Mackenize would say the same thing,โ€ Walker said.

Walker knows Hughes has missed his last five cuts, but says heโ€™s dedicated with his swing coach Ralph Bauer to hitting his natural fade again.

Walker looks forward to having breakfast with mentor Brennan Little (Gary Woodlandโ€™s caddie) who understands what itโ€™s like to be in a final U.S. Open pairing.

Walker also talked with his dad, Doug, last night by phone just to talk through what heโ€™s about to get into.

A big moment ahead for Hughes and Walker.

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