Erin (Wisconsin) June 18 (IANS) Brian Harman (five-under 67) of the United States ended the third round of the US Open at Erin Hills Wisconsin on Saturday atop the leaderboard on 12-under 204 total one shot ahead of compatriots Justin Thomas (63) and Brooks Koepka (68) and England s Tommy Fleetwood (68).
Thomas became the first man to shoot nine-under score in the history of the US Open. His third round featured six birdies and an eagle (par-five 18th) and two bogeys.
Harman who won the Wells Fargo championship last month continued in his rich vein of form on Saturday sinking six birdies.
It s the best I ve struck the ball in a long time. And my short game is pretty good. I ve been putting it pretty good. So I m excited about all those things Harman told usopen.com.
Obviously I have no idea what tomorrow holds but I m more motivated by the way that I m striking the ball.
This is his third appearance at the US Open and the first time he has made the cut.
England s Fleetwood had led until the final hole when only his third bogey of the week meant he relinquished the lead to 30-year-old Harman leaving himself tied with Koepka and Thomas.
In addition to being the first to register nine-under score Thomas also became just the fifth man in the history of the US Open to score 63.
I m just so excited to give myself a great chance to win this golf tournament. I feel like my game has been good enough to compete in the majors this year Thomas said.
Rickie Fowler carded 68 to take his total to 10-under 206. One shot behind him was South Korea s Si Woo Kim who posted a 68 in the penultimate round.
Patrick Reed (65) Russell Henley (67) and Charley Hoffman (68) shared the seventh spot at eight-under 208 total.
--IANS
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Golfer Harman leads US Open going into final day
