It was only a year ago at Oakmont that Andrew Landry, who had to make it through two stages of qualifying to get into his first U.S. Open, shared the 36-hole lead with Dustin Johnson.
Brian Harman stated his intention to kick back and unwind with his family before facing the challenge of heading into the final round of the U.S. Open as the man to catch. But it will be a pleasure to go out on a Sunday trying to win a major. All he needs is a final round like his roommate's third round and that tag of the best without a major might be lifted.
Oosthuizen, who lost a play-off for the Masters to Bubba Watson in 2012, carded his fifth birdie of the day on the 11th to get within two shots of the lead, with the final group still more than an hour away from teeing off.
Thomas' 9-under round broke Johnny Miller's record for lowest score in relation to par.
"I hit the ball better than I did yesterday, I drove it very well and hit a lot of good iron shots, I just didn't make any putts", Johnson said. "Obviously I have no idea what [Sunday] holds, but I'm more motivated by the way I'm striking the ball".
"That was cool to see. We're definitely in good position for tomorrow".
Fowler didn't go into specifics on what the two were going to do Saturday night but other than to, "have a good time". "(There's) no reason to answer that", said Thomas, who is now ranked 13th in the world. "We're separated by a floor".
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Thomas' historic round included nine birdies, including three straight to finish the front nine. "But after following his birdie with another red number at 17 from 26'10" he put a stunning exclamation to his round by smashing 3-wood to 8'1" at the 677-yard 18th and draining the eagle. To wrap it all up, here's our latest edition of birdies & bogeys - but mostly, birdies, because there were a LOT of them in the third round. The forecast for Sunday looks good and there is chance for the first significant wind of the week. "He's upstairs and I'm down in the basement area, so it shouldn't get too physical".
"Today I felt really good, played really well".
Rickie Fowler, who is two shots back, said after his round Saturday that he was hoping the wind would pick up to make the course tougher. "If you played well and executed, that birdies were out there".
The way this third round is going, odds are against him becoming the first player since Tiger Woods at Torrey Pines in 2008 to win a U.S. Open in his home state.
Schauffele remained one off the lead after four holes of his second round, while the three players on five under overnight - Brian Harman, Tommy Fleetwood and Brooks Koepka - were all among the later starters on a day when higher scoring was anticipated.
"I'm looking forward to my shot at it, I know it's not going to be an easy day, for sure", Fowler said.
"I'm going to enjoy my time tonight with my little girl and my wife".
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