Bryson DeChambeau began the final round of the 124th US Open with a three-stroke lead, while Rory McIlroy was part of the chasing pack at Pinehurst.
DeChambeau, the 2020 US Open winner, was the only player to break par in each of the first three rounds at the challenging 7,543-yard layout.
McIlroy, ranked third, was on four-under 206 along with Patrick Cantlay and Matthiew Pavon.
Other contenders included Hideki Matsuyama and Ludwig Aberg, who were five strokes back.
DeChambeau had just 10 rivals within the US Open’s final-round victory comeback record after 54 holes, with a chance to move up in the world rankings with a win.
A victory could make DeChambeau the second active LIV player to win a major.
DeChambeau, who was nagged by hip tightness, could match the record of eight consecutive major rounds at 69 or lower by breaking par on Sunday.
Pavon is trying to become the second Frenchman to win a major title, while McIlroy is hoping to end his major win drought.
The final round also included a spicy matchup between McIlroy and Cantlay, who had a confrontation at last year’s Ryder Cup.
– McIlroy & Cantlay spicy –
The final round promised exciting play with players looking to make their mark in US Open history.
