Lancaster Finishes Up With 65 That Includes 29 on Back Nine

Neal Lancaster, who shot a 77 Saturday, was a little better than that Sunday in the last round of the U.S. Open at Shinnecock--like 12 shots better . . . like a U.S. Open record 29 for nine holes . . . like a course-record-tying 65.

Afterward, Lancaster’s reaction was about what you might expect: “I can’t believe it.”

The 32-year-old from North Carolina got there the hard way. On the 18th, he missed the green, but chipped to three feet and stood over the putt for par.

“I can honestly say I was very, very nervous on that last putt,” he said.

From No. 11 through No. 17, Lancaster had six birdies on his way to a 29 on the back. But it was his chip shot on the last hole that stayed with him.

“I am straight downhill, and [I’m thinking] just don’t leave it lying there and make six,” he said. “I hit it [to] three feet. I can’t tell you how nervous I was over that three-footer.”

Lancaster had a bet with Jim McGovern on Saturday and won when McGovern had an 81. They did it again Sunday. McGovern shot 68 and still lost by three strokes.

“The best was double or nothing,” Lancaster said. “He owes me a case now.”