Fowler, Clark share lead through 3rd round of U.S. Open

Rickie Fowler made his biggest birdie when no one expected it with a 70-foot putt. Wyndham Clark responded with a bold play for a birdie on the final hole to catch him Saturday and set the stage for a dynamic conclusion to the U.S. Open.

Fowler looked to have his first 54-hole lead in a major until he missed a 3 1/2-foot par putt on the final hole at Los Angeles Country Club and settled for an even-par 70. Clark was reeling after his third bogey on the back nine, but drilled his approach at a tight pin on the 18th to six feet for a birdie and a 69.

Rory McIlroy had two quick birdies and stayed in the hunt with a 69, leaving him one shot behind the co-leaders. He will play in the penultimate group with Scottie Scheffler, the No. 1 player in the world who finished eagle-birdie for a 68.

This wasn't just any eagle. He holed a seven-iron from 196 yards on the 17th hole — which had only yielded four birdies all day — and finished with a 20-foot birdie putt.

Now it falls to Fowler to see if he can finally deliver a major championship, and to McIlroy to see if he can end nine long years without one.

Clark held his nerve to the end and was right there with him, even after a rare errant shot into the barranca on the 17th. He smartly took a penalty drop and made a seven-foot putt to escape with bogey.

The top Canadian after three rounds is Mackenzie Hughes of Hamilton, Ont., who is tied for 50th at five over. Adam Hadwin of Abbotsford, B.C., is tied for 55th at six over, while Adam Svensson of Surrey, B.C., is tied for 61st at eight over.

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