OAKMONT, Pennsylvania (Reuters) -The final round of the U.S. Open on Sunday at Oakmont Country Club will resume after a near two-hour delay caused by heavy rain with overnight leader Sam Burns clinging to a one-shot lead over Australian Adam Scott.

Tournament organisers said they are aiming to resume the year's third major at 5:40 p.m. ET (2140 GMT) after a delay that saw rain pool up on greens and fairways and forced the grounds crew at Oakmont to use squeegees to get the course ready.

Players were already back on the range and could return to a much different course that might allow them to attack pins on the notoriously slick greens more aggressively but will also face thick rough that will be even more penal.

Burns, who started the day one shot clear of Day and J.J. Spaun and seeking his first major title, was two over for the day through his first seven holes.

Scott, the 44-year-old Australian playing in his 96th consecutive major, mixed three bogeys with a birdie over his first seven holes.

Spaun fell back early as he opened his round with three consecutive bogeys, including at the par-four second when he caught an unlucky break as his approach took one hop and hit the flagstick before spinning back down the fairway some 50 yards.

Among the early starters, twice major champion Jon Rahm closed with a three-under 67 that was his best round of the week to reach four over. Reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy also saved his best for last and carded a 67 to reach seven over.

Pre-tournament favourite and world number one Scottie Scheffler, who began the final round eight shots off the lead, was one over through his first 11 holes.

(Reporting by Frank PingueEditing by Christian Radnedge and Pritha Sarkar)