U.S. Open - Rickie, Rory, Wyndham and more final-round storylines - ESPN

LOS ANGELES — World No. 1 golfer Scottie Scheffler closed with a flurry in the third round of the 123rd U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club on Saturday.

Rickie Fowler? Not so much.

Fowler set a U.S. Open record with an 8-under 62 in the first round (as did Xander Schauffele) and gained only 2 strokes over the next 36 holes. Fowler is tied with Wyndham Clark for the 54-hole lead at 10 under. He would have held the outright lead overnight if he hadn't inexplicably three-putted for bogey on the 18th, including a 3½-footer for par that lipped out.

Still, Fowler is in one of the best positions of his career to win an elusive first major. He'll try to do it in his 48th start.

«We all feel nerves at times, depending on certain shots or circumstances, but I mentioned it yesterday and then still stand by it,» Fowler said. «This is the best I've felt, let alone in a normal tournament but especially a major, and I would say really ever in my career.»

Clark, the 32nd-ranked player in the world, picked up his first PGA Tour victory at last month's Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina. That was a designated event, in which he beat most of the PGA Tour's best players in a 4-stroke victory. The Denver native seems confident that he can do it again.

«Obviously, it's just Saturday, but it's a little surreal to be in this situation,» Clark said. «Honestly, I'm really looking forward to tomorrow and the challenge it's going to bring, and hopefully it's my day.»

Rory McIlroy, the No. 3 player in the world, is only 1 stroke back. He carded a 1-under 69 on Saturday, his third straight subpar round, and is in a prime position to end a nearly nine-year drought without a major championship victory. McIlroy's last win in one