Fowler shares US Open lead heading into blockbuster final round

LOS ANGELES :Rickie Fowler and Wyndham Clark sit atop a star-studded U.S. Open leaderboard that includes Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler, setting the stage for a Hollywood ending to the drama unfolding at the Los Angeles Country Club this week.

After an up-and-down front nine in Saturday's third round, Fowler settled into a groove on the back nine and would have had the outright lead if his par putt on 18 hadn't lipped out, leading to a frustrating bogey.

"Bummer to have that one slip away, but tomorrow is a whole new day," Fowler said after grinding out a round of even-par 70.

"Tomorrow is when the tournament starts."

Fan favorite Fowler and lesser-known Clark are knotted at 10-under par with four-time major champion McIlroy one stroke back at nine-under and world number one Scheffler lurking three off the lead.

The eventual champion has been within four shots of the lead heading into the final round of the last 24 U.S. Opens.

Southern California native Fowler's round included a perfectly measured 69-foot birdie putt on 13 that sent the supportive crowd into a frenzy under sunny skies in LA, and he will be gunning for a breakthrough first major title on Sunday.

"Obviously it would be huge. Especially being here in Southern California, having a lot of my people, family and friends out here this week," Fowler said.

It has been a long road back for Fowler, a former top-10 golfer who last September dropped to a career-low 185th in the rankings. He said his struggles have taught him to be fearless.

"After going through the last few years, I'm not scared to fail," he said.

"I've dealt with that. We're just going to go have fun, continue to try to execute, leave it all out there, see where we stand on 18."

CONFIDENT CLARK

Fowler