Matt Fitzpatrick remains in the hunt for first major title at Brookline

Rory McIlroy gave himself a mountain to climb as Matt Fitzpatrick remained locked in a battle for his first major title in the 122nd US Open at Brookline.

Fitzpatrick shared the lead with American Will Zalatoris heading into the final round and made an impressive start with two birdies and three pars in the opening five holes.

The 27-year-old from Sheffield holed from seven feet on the third and two-putted the short par-four fifth for birdie after driving the green on a hole which cost both McIlroy and defending champion Jon Rahm a shot.

At six under par Fitzpatrick shared the lead with world number one Scottie Scheffler, who had birdied the first after a superb approach from a fairway divot and picked up further shots on the second, fourth and sixth.

McIlroy had also birdied the first but was enduring a rollercoaster round with three birdies, three bogeys and just one par in his first seven holes leaving him five off the lead.

Fitzpatrick was playing in the final group for the second major in succession, having partnered Mito Pereira in last month’s US PGA Championship at Southern Hills.

A closing 73 meant Fitzpatrick missed out on the play-off by two shots, but the Englishman has been buoyed all week by the memories of his US Amateur victory at Brookline in 2013.

“I think up until Southern Hills, I didn’t really appreciate how hard it is actually to win a major,” Fitzpatrick said after his third round of 68.

“I’ve not challenged really up until then. I think, myself included, and people on the outside maybe think it’s easier than it is.

“You just have to look at Tiger (Woods). He knocked off so many in such a quick span. That’s why I think people think, oh, it’s a piece of cake, it’s like a regular Tour event. But it’s