Rickie Fowler brought the buzz to the US Open with a 70-foot birdie putt only to lose the lead by missing from three-and-a-half feet on the final hole, giving him a share of the lead with fellow American Wyndham Clark and setting up a final round filled with possibilities.
Right there with them was Rory McIlroy. The Northern Irishman played a steady hand - one birdie and one bogey over his last 14 holes on a course that finally started to play like a US Open.
McIlroy had a 69 that left him one shot behind, poised to end nine long years without a major.
“It’s nice to be in the hunt,” McIlroy said.
Fowler had to settle for an even-par 70 on Saturday (Sunday AEST).
Clark escaped big trouble from the barranca with a 6-foot par putt on the 17th to stay close, and then boldly took on a tight left pin at the 18th for a 6-foot birdie for a 69 that allowed him to catch Fowler.
The final hour brought a surprise at every turn. A long day of blazing sunshine baking the North course at Los Angeles Country Club gave way to the infamous marine layer that brought out some sweatshirts late in the day.
Scottie Scheffler, the No.1 player in the world, never looked to be in the mix until he closed out his round of 68 by holing a 7-iron from 196 yards on the 17th hole and making a 20-foot birdie putt that put him in the penultimate group with McIlroy.
For so many others, it didn't take much to lose ground.
Xander Schauffele began his round by taking three shots to get out of a fairway bunker, making three bogeys in five holes, only to get it all back before losing ground at the end with a series of poor drives. He was at 73, five shots back.
Harris English kept pace with the leaders until he missed short putts, big drives and ended his day with a chip shot from the deep collar around the 18th green that didn't move the ball. His fourth bogey of the back nine gave him a 71, leaving him four shots behind.
The final hour saved what had been a stale atmosphere among the glitz of LA, with just about everyone playing a part. The five players within five shots of the lead included three major champions who have been No. 1 in the world - McIlroy, Scheffler and Dustin Johnson (71).
This is the third time Fowler has been in the final group at a major and the first time he doesn't have anyone in front of him, and he was so close to being the one to chase.
“Just a bummer. It would be nice for that one to go in,” Fowler said about his short miss. “Really doesn’t matter - having the lead, being one back, two back - you’re going to have to play good golf tomorrow."
Cameron Smith birdied the 18th for a 71 to be at three-under 207, seven shots behind the co-leaders in a tie for ninth.
Fellow Australian Min Woo Lee was a stroke further back after a disappointing third round of 74.
