All it took was a 9-under 63, the lowest round to par in a major long known as the toughest test in golf.
Casey, 39, was another of the co-leaders heading out, and a birdie at the opening hole suggested he was in the mood to challenge for a first Major triumph. Brain Harman has a one-shot lead at 12 under.
Speaking about the changes he made previous year, Fleetwood added: "I went back to my old coach and had one of my best mates caddying and I think that can't be underestimated, having your friend with you, whether you're leading the US Open or playing a casual round at home".
And after Haotong Li made a small piece of history Friday by surviving the halfway cut at the U.S. Open, he closed out a frustrating third round with a quadruple-bogey at the par-5 18th on Saturday.
Thomas became the first man in 117 editions of America's national championship dating back to 1895 to shoot a round of nine under par - but that was still only good enough to be level with the gutsy Fleetwood at the end of play.
Thomas carded a sensational, nine-under 63 at Erin Hills on Saturday to move firmly into contention at the year's second major.
Taking the sting out of not having eight of the world's top 12 players around for the weekend, Justin Thomas shot a record-breaking 63 on Saturday.
England's Paul Casey and compatriot Tommy Fleetwood were bunched on seven under alongside Americans Brooks Koepka and Brian Harman at the top. Rain for the opening two rounds at Pinehurst No 2 contributed to Martin Kaymer opening with 65-65 (a US Open record) on his way to an eight-shot victory in 2014.
Anything can change in an Open, such as the career trajectory of fan favorite and first-round leader Rickie Fowler (68), who is only two shots behind. "I did the work, looked at the golf course, made sure that I could actually play and visualize the golf course", he said. Every time I've been in majors so far I've put so much emphasis on them and tried so hard at them that I kind of got in my way.
Donald Trump's White House may seek to water down Russian Federation sanctions
The goal is to persuade the lawmakers to include in the document the amendments convenient for the Trump administration. The larger bill is expected to pass the Senate by the end of the week, then be passed by the House and signed by Trump.
"And out here I'm just thinking a lot about my stroke, stance, stuff you would rather not be thinking about".
Thomas, decked out in fluorescent pink trousers, was on the move quickly with a birdie-birdie start and had an even hotter finish to his front nine, carding birdies on four-of-five closing holes, including the last three to move to seven-under.
There's an interesting anecdote about Jack Nicklaus and Major Championships: after practice rounds, Nicklaus would take note of the players who came in to the locker room complaining about the golf course.
"The finish was awesome".
"Coming off an injury, I was a little anxious going out there (yesterday)", said McIlroy of round one, describing his transition as a "lunge".
He might need one at this rate. About all that save Erin Hills from another onslaught was a forecast for the strongest wind of the week.
The diminutive 24-year-old American, who stands a 5-foot-10 but ranks 11th on the US PGA Tour with average drive of 305.3 yards, bullied the Wisconsin layout on day three.
"I mean, it's literally one shot at a time trying to pick this golf course apart, just like I did Thursday morning out here". "I did feel very comfortable with my swing, but that fifth shot on 18 was my best shot of the day".
"I felt like I've been playing pretty well all week, and didn't have quite the numbers to show for it". "But obviously, I haven't done that here". He then backed it up with a second-round 64 and holds the tour scoring records for 36, 54 and 72 holes. His best finish at the U.S. Open was third in 2001. He landed the ball perfectly on the fringe of the green and it rolled just past the hole for a makeable eagle putt.
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