US Open: McIlroy one back of leaders Fowler and Clark after 'stress-free' third round

Rory McIlroy remains in contention to end his nine-year wait for a fifth major title after a "stress-free" third round at the US Open moved him to one shot of co-leaders Rickie Fowler and Wyndham Clark.

McIlroy is a four-time major winner but the last of those came at the 2014 PGA Championship, despite several chances over the years to add to his haul. Once again, the Northern Irishman is right in the mix at the top of the leaderboard at Los Angeles Country Club after three birdies and two bogeys to card a one-under 69 during a round in which was rarely in real trouble.

"The golf course definitely got a little bit trickier today than the first couple of days," McIlroy, the world No 3, said. "Felt like I played really smart, solid golf.

"Hit a lot of fairways, hit a lot of greens. Sort of felt somewhat stress-free out there, if you can ever call golf at a US Open stress-free."

Overnight leader Fowler led playing partner Clark by two as they stood on the 18th tee at LACC.

Clark had just dropped a shot at the 17th, but his approach at the last threatened the pin before leaving him a six-foot birdie putt that he calmly rolled in.

Fowler, who had gone 12 holes without a bogey as a string of rivals faltered on the treacherous back nine, saw his 42-foot birdie putt skim the edge, but his four-footer for par coming back lipped out. Fowler signed for an even par 70 while Clark posted a one-under 69.

After two days of record scoring, the sun-baked LA Country Club North Course – hosting the championship for the first time – proved plenty capable of providing a classic US Open test of patience and nerve.

Fowler, who had a stunning 18 birdies over the first two rounds, couldn't match those fireworks, his three birdies including a