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A decade after winning his maiden major title in the US Open, Rory McIlroy stormed into contention for another victory at Torrey Pines.
McIlroy cruised to an eight-shot victory at Congressional in 2011, just two months after blowing a four-stroke lead in the Masters following a final round of 80 at Augusta National.
The Northern Irishman went on to win the PGA Championship in 2012 and the Open and PGA again in 2014, but has not won a major since and had been a combined 35 over par in the first round of golf’s biggest events before an opening 70 in San Diego.
A second round of 73 left McIlroy six shots off the pace at the halfway stage, but a 67 on Saturday lifted him to three-under par, just two behind leaders Louis Oosthuizen, Mackenzie Hughes and Russell Henley.


Former Open champion Oosthuizen holed from 50 feet for an eagle on the 18th in his 70, while Hughes carded a 68 and halfway joint-leader Henley returned a 71.
McIlroy covered his first 10 holes in two-under par and, although he missed a good chance on the 11th, the former world number one made amends in style, chipping in from short of the green for an unlikely gain on the next.
Russell Henley grabs early lead at Torrey Pines while Mickelson struggles
The 32-year-old then amazingly hit the pin with his approach to the 13th from 260 yards, but did well to two-putt from long range for birdie, only to then pull his drive on the 15th into a ravine.
Following a penalty drop, McIlroy was still left with 240 yards to the green and came up short with his third shot, but hit a superb pitch to five feet and holed the putt to limit the damage.

After saving par from a greenside bunker on the 16th, McIlroy parred the 17th and then birdied the par-five 18th to boost his chances of ending his frustrating major drought.
Asked about the prospect of winning another major on the 10th anniversary of his maiden victory, McIlroy told Sky Sports: “It would mean an awful lot. I am just so happy that I’ve given myself another chance.
“It feels like a while since I’ve had a chance to win a major championship going into a Sunday and it was great to play a round of golf today to give myself that chance.
“It’s not going to be quite as easy as it was 10 years ago, but my game feels good and a round like today proves I can go out there again and try to do the same thing tomorrow.”
Defending champion Bryson DeChambeau was alongside McIlroy on three-under following a 68, with pre-tournament favourite Jon Rahm, Scottie Scheffler and Matthew Wolff another stroke adrift.

World number one Dustin Johnson was part of a five-strong group on one under, with Paul Casey, Ian Poulter, Francesco Molinari, Justin Thomas and Brooks Koepka all on level par.
“Conditions were perfect for golf, slightly overcast, slight little wind,” Casey told Sky Sports after his 67.
“I don’t think the course is any different (from the first two days). I think we’ve seen today some more accessible pin positions, a couple of tees have been moved up.
“I drove it brilliantly the first two days and didn’t really capitalise on how I struck it. I didn’t have the speed down with the putter and today was the first day where I felt like I had touch on these greens.”
England’s Richard Bland held a share of the halfway lead but struggled to a 77 on Saturday to fall six shots off the pace.


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US Open: DeChambeau tops leaderboard after record-breaking first three rounds at Pinehurst

US Open (golf)

US Open: Rory McIlroy takes a leap to ending major drought at Torrey Pines

Rory McIlroy is in the hunt for a fifth major at the US Open. Photo: EPA

Richard Bland’s challenge appears to have faded after three rounds. Photo: EPA

Louis Oosthuizen reacts after making his eagle putt on the 18th. The South African is very much in the running. Photo: AP

US Open: Russell Henley grabs early lead at Torrey Pines while Mickelson struggles

Russell Henley plays a shot from a bunker on the 17th hole during the first round of the US Open at Torrey Pines. Photo: USA Today

epa09281746 Bryson DeChambeau of the US reacts on the sixteenth hole during the first round of the 2021 US Open golf tournament on the South Course of the Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego, California, USA, 17 June 2021. EPA-EFE/ERIK S. LESSER

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 17: Phil Mickelson of the United States waves after making birdie on the 17th hole during the first round of the 2021 U.S. Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course (South Course) on June 17, 2021 in San Diego, California. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

US Open: Rory McIlroy likes his chances despite being six shots behind leader Matthew Wolff – ‘I’ve got a pretty good shot’

American Matthew Wolff lines up a putt as he takes control of the US Open at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York. Photo: EPA-EFE

epa08682142 Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland hits his tee shot on the sixth hole during the third round of the 2020 US Open at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York, USA, 19 September 2020. The 2020 US Open will be played from 17 September through 20 September in front of no fans due to the ongoing coronovirus pandemic. EPA-EFE/JUSTIN LANE

MAMARONECK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Hideki Matsuyama of Japan plays a shot during the third round of the 120th U.S. Open Championship on September 19, 2020 at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York. Jamie Squire/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

MAMARONECK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 19: Matthew Wolff of the United States reacts on the 18th green during the third round of the 120th U.S. Open Championship on September 19, 2020 at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

Who is Yuka Saso? Philippine-Japanese teen US Open champion on the cusp of Olympic qualification

Yuka Saso of the Philippines celebrates with the Harton S. Semple Trophy after winning the 76th US Women's Open Championship at The Olympic Club in San Francisco. Photo: AFP

Sport

Golf

Northern Irishman McIlroy very much in the hunt after a solid third round
Hughes, Henley and Oosthuizen lead the way, two shots clear, on five-under par


Northern Irishman McIlroy very much in the hunt after a solid third round, but Hughes, Henley and Oosthuizen lead the way, two shots clear, on five-under par.


Bryson DeChambeau

Jon Rahm

Scottie Scheffler

US Open: Rory McIlroy takes a leap to ending major drought at Torrey Pines

Northern Irishman McIlroy very much in the hunt after a solid third round Hughes, Henley and Oosthuizen lead the way, two shots clear, on five-under par

Northern Irishman McIlroy very much in the hunt after a solid third round

Hughes, Henley and Oosthuizen lead the way, two shots clear, on five-under par