US Open 2023 leaderboard: Latest updates as Rory McIlroy one off Clark and Fowler at the top

Rory McIlroy will begin the final round of the US Open just one shot off the lead after a one-under-par round of 69 at Los Angeles Country Club.

He will look to hunt down Rickie Fowler and Wyndham Clark who have a share of the lead at -10. Fowler had led for most of the day but a bogey at the last, coupled with Clark’s superb birdie on 18, means the two Americans will again meet in the final pairing with the scores level.

McIlroy will play alongside world number one Scottie Scheffler who sits at -7 having catapulted up the leaderboard with an eagle-birdie finish over his last two holes.

Fellow American Harris English is a shot further back at six under par, while former US Open champion Dustin Johnson and Olympic champion Xander Schauffele sit at -5.

Follow all the action from ‘moving day’ at the 123rd US Open:

US Open 2023 live updates

• The 123rd US Open takes place at Los Angeles Country Club

• Rickie Fowler and Wyndham Clark share the lead after the third round

• Rory McIlroy sits in second after a one-under-par round of 69

• Leaderboard: -10: Fowler, Clark; -9: McIlroy; -7: Scheffler; -6: English; -5: Johnson, Schauffele

One round to go...

04:16 , Ben Fleming

Well, some late drama sets the scene for tomorrow’s final round in Los Angeles.

Rickie Fowler and Wyndham Clark will do battle again as they both chase their first major championships.

But they will be hunted down by Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler with plenty more looking to upset the odds further back.

It promises to be another intriguing and enthralling day of major championship golf - I hope you will join us for it then!

Leaderboard latest

04:13 , Ben Fleming

Here is how the leaderboard stacks up after the end of the third round:

-10: Fowler, Clark

-9: McIlroy

-7: Scheffler

-6: English

-5: Schauffele, Johnson

Fowler bogeys the last

04:03 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -10 (70), Clark -10 (69)

Fowler with his effort first...a great role and it nearly dies in the hole for a birdie at the end. A relatively simple par putt, but OH NO! It lips out on the right and that is a cruel bogey at the death for Rickie. In the end, it’s an even-par round of 70 for the American but that’s a bitterly disappointing way to end

Clark makes his great iron shot count and converts his birdie putt. Another very good round from the young American who denies McIlroy a spot in the final pairing.

These two will meet again tomorrow with a share of the lead heading in the final round.

What a shot from Clark

03:56 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -11 (17), Clark -9 (17)

Get your club twirl out, Wynhdham! A marvellous shot into the last lands between the left rough and the hole and leaves him with just over six feet for a bounce-back birdie at the last.

Up the last we go

03:52 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -11 (17), Clark -9 (17)

Rickie leads by two as he tees off but he’s safely onto the fairway, as is Clark as these two come up the last.

McIlroy finishes up with par

03:51 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -9 (71), Schauffele -5 (73)

Rory is in a similar spot to Dustin Johnson moments ago and his putt ends up in a similar spot to Dustin’s as it dies to the left just before the hole. Nevertheless, a par at the last and a one-under-par round of 69 for McIlroy.

Three birdies and two bogeys but certainly a few shots left out there.

Schauffele makes his par to get in the clubhouse at five under. He battled back well after a poor start to the front nine but a birdie-less back nine featured three bogeys and he ends up with a round of 73.

Bogey for Clark

03:48 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -11 (17), Clark -9 (17)

Clark does indeed have to take a drop. It’s a good up and down to just make bogey but he’ll need to birdie the last now to get in the final pairing.

Fowler gives him a good run from across the green but it misses on the left and he taps in for his par as the final pair head up the last.

Trouble for Clark

03:42 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -11 (16), Clark -10 (16)

A lot of trouble at the penultimate hole for Wyndham Clark. He’s been great all day bu this one leaks right and a penalty drop is required by the looks of it.

Could this open the door for a Rory-Ricky final pairing tomorrow?

Bogey at the last for English

03:37 , Ben Fleming

Johnson -5 (71), English -6 (71)

English continues to battle up the last but gets into the thick rough just left of the green. It gets even worse when, just like McIlrory on Thursday, he fails to move the ball at all from the rough. He gets out at the second time of asking but it’s a nervy bogey putt...but he makes it. Good to avoid the double but a four-over-par back nine sees him finish at six under after a round of 71.

Johnson gives his birdie putt a good roll but it’s another that slides by for the two-time major champion. A round of 71 today has him six back as things stand but he’s by no means out of it there.

Bogey for Schauffele

03:34 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -9 (17), Schauffele -5 (17)

Schauffele again misses the fairway to the right and hacks it out to the greenside bunker. It’s a tricky bunker shot and he’ll have about 17 feet for his par...and it misses on the left. Back to five under.

McIlroy plays it safe out to the right and away from that tucked-away pin. It’s another good stroke but just comes up short and left. Three pars in a row for him.

Up the last they go.

Pars for Fowler and Clark

03:30 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -11 (16), Clark -10 (16)

Both players give themselves a look at birdie on this 16th. Clark is up first and takes his time figuring out his line. It’s a good roll but it just dies to the left at the death.

Fowler gives his a go but it’s left of the cup and a par also.

Two more to go.

English saves par

03:26 , Ben Fleming

Johnson -5 (17), English -7 (17)

At seven under currently, Harris English is still right in this competition. He’s fighting his way around this back nine and it’s a super touch from the rough to get up and down to save his par.

Johnson also makes par as these two head up the last.

Great par save from Schauffele

03:24 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -9 (16), Schauffele -6 (16)

Schauffele is out of position with his drive but he protects his par with a superb wedge in from the fairway. He stays at six under. McIlroy has a good look at birdie from medium range but he hits it through the break and it misses on the right.

Two to go for this pair.

Good par for Fowler

03:16 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -11 (15), Clark -10 (15)

The last group come through the 15th and Rickie has work to do after his ball lands on the upper tier of this big, slopping green. A great couple of putts though from the leader who walks away with a much-needed par.

Clark gives himself a better look at birdie but he can’t make it stick and he too walks off with par.

Eagle-birdie finish for Scheffler

03:14 , Ben Fleming

Smith -3 (71), Scheffler -7 (72)

Could those last 15 minutes change the course of the tournament? Scottie Scheffler was starting down a one-over-par 71 on the 17th tee but holed out for eagle from the fairway at 17.

Then, up the last, he finally holes a big putt to steal a birdie on the last. He finishes at seven under par and is right in the thick of things now.

Cam Smith also signs off with a birdie to finish at three under par.

Solid par from English

03:11 , Ben Fleming

Johnson -5 (16), English -7 (16)

The task for Harris English is to just keep it steady coming in and he does so with a good two-putt down the slope. Johnson also makes his par to remain at five under.

Round to forget for Sam Bennett

03:09 , Ben Fleming

Bennett +4 (17)

Sam Bennett started the day just five back but it’s not been his finest round of golf. A front-nine 39 followed by three bogeys and a double so far on the back has him nine over for the day and four over for the tournament.

Big miss from Fowler

03:06 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -11 (14), Clark -10 (14)

I didn’t see that in the script. Fowler plays the par-five 14th perfectly and has just nine feet for birdie after a lovely chip but it catches the left lip and hops out! One of Rickie’s first bad misses I can remember in a while. It’s a par but a missed opportunity for sure.

Wyndham Clark was out of position off the tee and has to settle for par as well.

Two pars on the short 15th

03:03 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -9 (15), Schauffele -6 (15)

Onto the short par-three 15th and it’s the percentage play from the pair. Schauffele has a devilish putt down the slope which he nurses down to the hole perfectly. Rory has one from a bit closer but he sets it out too far to the right.

A couple of pars.

Bounce-back-birdie for McIlroy

02:57 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -9 (14), Schauffele -6 (14)

Feels like a must-make putt for McIlroy...and he does get it! A good response from Rory who takes advantage of that good bounce a couple of shots prior.

Not the hole Xander Schauffele was looking for, however, as he’s out of position all the way down the hole. He’s off the side of the green with his fourth shot but gets too cute with it and it doesn’t get up the slope and on to the green.

It’s an eventual bogey six for Xander and he’s back to six under.

Eagle for Scheffler

02:54 , Ben Fleming

Scheffler -6 (17)

Wow, wow, wow! Scottie Scheffler eagle from the fairway. That’s one way to get around a cold putter. There have been just four birdies on that hole all day so that’s a huge bonus for the world number one.

Up into sixth.

Watch out cameraman!

02:52 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -8 (13), Schauffele -7 (13)

Rory’s drive ends up in the rough and he takes out the fairway metal with the ball sitting up. It’s heading left, way left, and almost hits a cameraman and ends up on another fairway. That’s a huge break as it stays away from the rough and he takes advantage chipping it to seven feet. Birdie putt coming up.

Dropped shots for Scheffler and Smith

02:49 , Ben Fleming

Smith -3 (16), Scheffler -4 (16)

Missed fairways are no good for these two at this stage, especially on the uber-tricky 16th. It’s a couple of birdies and they are both one over par for their rounds today.

Another bogey for English

02:47 , Ben Fleming

Johnson -5 (13), English -7 (13)

Harris English is one of the many finding this back nine a lot tougher. He makes a mess of the par-five 14th and it’s his third bogey in four holes as he drops back to seven under.

Dustin Johnson makes a timely birdie to move back to five under.

Fowler drains massive birdie

02:45 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -11 (13), Clark -10 (13)

Rickie Fowler monster putt alert!! Nearly 70 feet worth of ground to make up from the front of the green but it’s perfectly judged and just dies perfectly in the front of the cup.

Fowler leads by two...or does he? Clark steps up from closer and powers one into the cup as well.

Two birdies on a very difficult hole for the final pair.

Bogeys for McIlroy and Schauffele

02:36 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -8 (12), Schauffele -7 (12)

Schauffele finds himself in some trouble off the tee for the first time since the opening few holes. He hacks it out well and runs it up to the front of the green but his chip races past the hole and there is work to do. Par putt...misses and the American drops three back.

Rory’s seven iron from the middle of the fairway comes up short at the front of the green as does his first putt. A scream of frustration for Rory who has 11 feet left for par...and he doesn’t hit it. McIlroy’s first three-putt of the week and he’s now three back of the lead.

Poor miss from Scheffler

02:32 , Ben Fleming

Smith -4 (15), Scheffler -5 (15)

It’s a glorious wedge into this short par-three 15th from Scheffler who creates an unbelievable amount of spin with such a small shot. He has an eight-footer from below the hole...but he misses. Gosh, how many missed putts is that for the week?

Smith makes his par to remain as well to remain at four under.

Back-to-back bogeys for Clark, Fowler leads

02:30 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -10 (12), Clark -9 (12)

Fowler creates a good look at birdie from a similar spot to McIlroy but he leaves it on the low side and has to settle for par.

Clark catches a good break in the rough and is able to hack it out to just beyond the green. He looks to play a cute chip but gets it all wrong! He barely moves it and it stays in the rough. He gets out at the second time of asking but that will be anther bogey.

Fowler once again leads this US Open.

Bogey for Johnson

02:26 , Ben Fleming

Johnson -4 (13), English -8 (13)

The putter is the thorn in Dustin’s side once more as he misses a nine-footer to save his par on the 13th. English gives his birdie putt a good run but it just misses on the left side and it will be par for him.

Smith drops back

02:23 , Ben Fleming

Smith -4 (14), Scheffler -5 (14)

An unforced error from Cam Smith at the par-five 14th as he finds the rough and then an extremely awkward stance in the greenside bunker. He can hack it out but the cumulative errors cost him a bogey.

Scheffler, meanwhile, shows great touch out of a different greenside bunker and even he can’t miss this birdie effort. He moves back to five under for his round.

Missed chance for McIlroy

02:20 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -9 (12), Schauffele -8 (12)

Something has got to drop for McIlroy sooner rather than later. It won’t be at 12, though. He gives himself a great chance after a nice second into just 12 feet but the putt is set off on the wrong line and it just can’t catch the left edge.

McIlroy looks exasperated - he’s had a good few looks at birdie now since his opening salvo but nothing to show for it. Still, a par leaves him one off the lead.

Schauffele has a longer effort which he does well to two-putt for his par.

Bogey for Clark

02:17 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -10 (11), Clark -10 (11)

And we have a tie at the top. Wyndham Clark’s tee shot into the 11th comes up short into the bunker and it’s a tough ask from there. He gets it out well but it runs on past to about 20 feet. It’s another well-struck putt but it dies to the left at the end and just misses the hole.

Fowler gives his birdie effort a good run but it misses high. A par for him and he is now back in a share for the lead.

Back-to-back bogeys for English

02:11 , Ben Fleming

Johnson -5 (12), English -8 (12)

A slight wobble from English on the 12th and he drops back a shot further. You have to find the fairway off the tee and he doesn’t and from there he can only hack out. His pitch shot onto the green runs through the back and, from there, it’s a tough up and down. He makes it, but it’s still a bogey five and he’s back to eight under.

Dustin Johnson appears to be in a contest with Scottie Scheffler for who can have the coldest putter - he misses another good look at birdie - this time from 12 feet - and remains at five under.

Couple of pars

02:05 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -9 (11), Schauffele -8 (11)

This long 11th is most definitely a ‘take your three and move on’ kind of hole. Both Rory and Xander do that with a couple of solid tee shots and two-putts. Onto the challenging 12th...

Good par save for Fowler

02:03 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -10 (10), Clark -11 (10)

Fowler gets in a spot of bother with his second on ten as his approach shot flies the green and gets stuck in the thick rough. Not to worry, for it’s a superb wedge shot from the American which results in a kick-in par. Great recovery.

Clark gives his long-range effort for birdie a really good roll and it just catches the right edge but there is too much pace on it and it doesn’t drop. A par for him too.

Back-to-back birdies for Smith

02:00 , Ben Fleming

Smith -5 (13), Scheffler -4 (13)

It’s just not happening again for Scottie again today. He goes way left with his second shot on the 14th and can’t get up and down to save his par.

Cam Smith, meanwhile, has found a couple of shots in as many holes and he moves above his playing partner to five under.

English drops back

01:58 , Ben Fleming

Johnson -5 (11), English -9 (11)

English’s tee shot into the 273-yard par-three 11th just gets onto the front of the green. He lags it down to just over four feet but it’s an uncharacteristic miss from short range by the American. He drops back to nine under par.

Johnson makes par to remain at five under.

Good up and down par save from McIlroy

01:52 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -9 (10), Schauffele -8 (10)

McIlroy is way left off the tee and the ball gets down in the rough. He hacks it out as far as the bunker but it’s a superb wedge shot out of the sand to just two feet. Good par save, Rory.

Xander uses the same bank that English did a few moments ago but, unlike his fellow American, he can’t convert the putt down the slope and remains at eight under par.

Final group make the turn

01:50 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -10 (9), Clark -11 (9)

Our final pair approach the final hole of the front nine and give themselves different looks for birdie. Fowler has a slow one from a similar spot to McIlroy and he gets down in two.

Wyndham Clark has a devilishly quick putt up and over the slope but he deals with it superbly to make par. Two birdies and seven pars for a very solid front-nine 33 and he leads by one.

English within one

01:42 , Ben Fleming

Johnson -5 (10), English -10 (10)

Underestimate him at your peril. Harris English is putting together about as solid a round as you could ask for in a third round of a US Open. He uses the slope perfectly on ten to create another look at birdie and it’s rolled in with quiet confidence from the American who moves within one.

Johnson has an even closer putt for birdie but it’s a really poor stroke and the chance goes begging.

Back-to-back birdies for Schauffele

01:40 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -9 (9), Schauffele -8 (9)

What a response this is from Xander Schauffele to end the back nine. A solid tee shot to just under 20 feet and he drains the birdie putt to get back to even par for his round today.

McIlroy leaves his a bit further out and nestles it up close for a par.

Pars all round on eight

01:38 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -10 (8), Clark -11 (8)

Clark gets himself in an awkward spot off the tee, up against a slop and can only lay up. His third comes up short off the green and it’s big breaking birdie putt chance for Clark. He gives it a good roll but it’s heading right and just a par.

Fowler finds the sand with his second and that’s a costly error. He gets it out well but can’t make the lengthy return putt for a birdie. Pars all round.

Birdie for Johnson

01:32 , Ben Fleming

Johnson -5 (9), English -9 (9)

It’s been a battling front nine for Dustin Johnson but he gets his reward at the ninth with a superb iron shot into the par-three ninth. He converts for birdie and moves back up to five under.

Another green in regulation and two-putt par for English who stays at nine under.

Birdie for Schauffele

01:26 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -9 (8), Schauffele -7 (8)

Shot of the day, that from Schauffele! He takes the fairway metal out with his second into this par-five eighth and it catches the slope before rolling out to just six feet. An eagle putt for the American...but it drifts past. A real missed opportunity but it’s still a birdie.

McIlroy gets his approach wrong and ends up in the barranca where English was moments ago. He gets it out well and gives himself a look at birdie but it just misses on the right side. That’s two good looks gone begging at six and eight for him.

Fowler back within one

01:20 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -10 (7), Clark -11 (7)

You just can’t keep Fowler down at the minute. It’s right into the heart of the green on seven but a monster putt from 36 feet makes it way into the heart of the cup, much to the delight of the fans watching greenside.

Clark ends up in a similar spot to McIlroy have hit a tree but gives himself a good look at par with his chip...and it’s in. His impressive scrambling continues and he escapes with par.

Missed birdie chance for English

01:16 , Ben Fleming

Johnson -4 (8), English -9 (8)

English takes on the par-five eight in two but gets it all wrong and ends up in the barranca. He gets out well to give himself a birdie look but it passes him by. He’ll stay at nine under. Johnson makes par as well and remains further back at four under.

Great par save from McIlroy

01:12 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -9 (7), Schauffele -6 (7)

Onto the par-three seventh and it’s the first real bad shot from McIlroy as his tee shot heads left into the rough. He’s chipping off the slope but it’s a great shot which runs out to within tap-in territory. A great save for Rory.

Schauffele finds the front of the green and safely negotiates a two-putt to remain at six under.

Pars for Fowler and Clark

01:10 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -9 (6), Clark -11 (6)

Our leaders come through the sixth hole now. Clark goes first and takes a driving iron, looking to bail out to the right of the green. He does so well and gives himself a good run at birdie but he races it past and it’s just a par

Fowler takes on the green but ends up in the back bunker. It’s a tricky shot out of the sand with the green running away from him but he gives himself a look at birdie...not to be. He remains at nine under.

Not going well for Lee and Bennett

01:08 , Ben Fleming

Lee -3 (8), Bennett -1 (8)

The group behind Scheffler and Smith certainly aren’t having it their own way. A double bogey at seven has Min Woo Lee three over par for his round, while Bennett made four bogeys in a row between four and seven to drop all the way down to one under par.

Scheffler and Smith make the turn

01:04 , Ben Fleming

Scheffler -5 (9), Smith -4 (9)

Both these two would have been eyeing up an early move on this front nine but it’s not to be. They both head to the tenth even par for their rounds.

Smith has a great look on the ninth, however, for a birdie to move him alongside Scheffler but it’s a misread and the chance goes begging.

Missed birdie opportunity for McIlroy

01:00 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -9 (6), Schauffele -6 (6)

On to the short par-four sixth for Rory and he opts to take it on! We’ve seen very few players do that and it ends up short in the bunker. He catches that shot heavy and it’s a 15-footer for birdie...but it misses on the right. I’m not convinced by that decision from McIlroy and a par feels like a big missed opportunity there.

Schauffele also finds the sand taking the green on but it’s a far better shot out of the sand and he converts for a much-needed birdie.

Another bogey for Fowler

Sunday 18 June 2023 00:56 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -9 (5), Clark -11 (5)

Clark is in position A off the tee and flies a nice wedge into the green that skips on a bit. His first putt leaves him with work to do from six and a half feet...but he makes it. Solid stuff from the leader.

Fowler, though, is once more in the rough off the tee and can only hack out from his lie. He has a similar putt to Clark but leaves it short too. His second bogey of the round drops him back to nine under par.

English moves into fourth

Sunday 18 June 2023 00:47 , Ben Fleming

Johnson -4 (6), English -9 (6)

Harris English continues his supremely steady start at the sixth. He opts for the lay-up and takes care of business with the putt down the slope for birdie. Up into nine under par alongside Rory.

Dustin is in more trouble off the tee as he tries to lay up and he has to hack it out short of the green. Unlike English, he can’t get up and down and it’s a bogey five to move him down to four under.

Third bogey in five for Schauffele

Sunday 18 June 2023 00:43 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -9 (5), Schauffele -5 (5)

Man, Xander is really toiling out there right now. It’s another wayward drive which forces another lay-up and a lengthy par save. He leaves that short but drops further back to five under par.

Still early days but McIlroy is playing some very solid golf. It’s a really nice shot into the tucked-away pin on the fifth and a good run at a birdie which comes up short. A par but no damage done.

Couple of pars for Fowler and Clark

Sunday 18 June 2023 00:40 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -10 (4), Clark -11 (4)

Some very solid tee shots into this small par-three green and both get out with solid pars.

Second dropped shot for Johnson

Sunday 18 June 2023 00:39 , Ben Fleming

Johnson -5 (5), English -8 (5)

Johnson is in the sand after his second and can’t get up and down to save his par. Six shots off the lead now for the former US Champion. English makes another steady par and remains at eight under.

Bogey for McIlroy

Sunday 18 June 2023 00:30 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -9 (4), Schauffele -6 (4)

Mcllroy’s tee shot is heading left but catches a good break in the short grass next to the green. His chip up leaves him 10 feet for par...but he misses. Back to nine under par.

Schauffele has a look at birdie but that’s not to be. It’s still a welcome par for the American who started all over the place in the first three holes.

Lee and Scheffler at five under

Sunday 18 June 2023 00:27 , Ben Fleming

Lee -5 (5), Scheffler -5 (6)

A three-putt from Min Woo on the fifth means he drops back to five under par. He’s joined there by Scottie Scheffler who makes a good birdie on the sixth.

Clark takes solo lead

Sunday 18 June 2023 00:24 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -10 (3), Clark -11 (3)

Another couple of fine wedge shots into this third green from our final pair. Clark has a shorter putt from a similar area as Rory and makes no mistake. Fowler has one from below the hole but pushes it ever so slightly and it misses on the right.

With that, Clark takes the solo lead.

McIlroy into a share for the lead

Sunday 18 June 2023 00:18 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -10 (3), Schauffele -6 (3)

Another birdie and the perfect start for Rory! We said earlier that one and three were good holes to target for birdie and he makes the most of both of the opportunities. It’s a real sloping putt from left to right but he judges it perfectly and he moves up alongside Clark and Fowler at the top of the leaderboard.

Schauffele, however, is having the worst start imaginable as he goes way left with his drive again. He muscles it out towards the green but it flies into the thick greenside rough and his chip runs away from the hole, leaving him plenty of work to do to save his par. It’s a good effort but not to be and he drops his second shot of the round so far to move back to six under.

Scheffler drops back

Sunday 18 June 2023 00:14 , Ben Fleming

Scheffler -4 (4), Smith -3 (4)

A second bogey for Scottie and the world number one is going in the wrong direction. It’s way left off the tee and he can barely hack it out. He’s left with a monster putt for his par which, to his credit, he judges expertly but it’s a tap-in five and he drops back to four under.

Smith gets in the greenside sand and also makes bogey to drop further back as well.

Bogey for Fowler

Sunday 18 June 2023 00:12 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -10 (2), Clark -10 (2)

Rickie has made 19 birdies but also his fair share of bogeys and another one greets him at the second. It’s way left off the tee and he has to lay up into the par four. It’s a similar putt to that of McIlroy put he leaves it short as well. A bogey and back down to ten under.

Clark comes up short with his second but shows good touch to get up and down to save his par.

Another birdie for English

Sunday 18 June 2023 00:08 , Ben Fleming

Johnson -6 (3), English -8 (3)

A very solid start from Harris English who takes advantage of this gettable third with a superb wedge shot to close. He taps in for birdie putt while Johnson sees his roll at birdie come up agonisingly short.

English now just three off the lead.

Solid par from McIlroy

Sunday 18 June 2023 00:03 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -9 (2), Schauffele -7 (2)

Rory once again finds the middle of the fairway with his drive and is safely aboard this tricky second green. It’s a tricky putt down the slope but he nurses it down well and makes his par - that’s a good result on this second.

Schauffele, meanwhile, is in all sorts of trouble. His tee shot ends on the 17th fairway and he goes long and left into the spectators with his second. It’s a hack out from there but a superb 36-feet par save to remain at seven under.

Great response from Lee

Sunday 18 June 2023 00:00 , Ben Fleming

Lee -6 (3), Bennett -4 (3)

A superb response from Min Woo Lee at the third who flies his approach to little over a foot from the flag. He taps in to get to six under while Bennett makes par to remain at four under.

Birdies for Fowler and Clark

Saturday 17 June 2023 23:57 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -11 (1), Clark -10 (1)

And our final group are now underway. They’ve played some of the best golf we’ve seen out here so far and make no mistake with the first. A good couple of two-putts to secure their birdie fours at the opening par five.

Fowler moves to eleven under while Clark stays one behind him at ten under.

Bogeys for Johnson and English

Saturday 17 June 2023 23:52 , Ben Fleming

Johnson -6 (1), English -7 (2)

Just like Bennett and Min Woo Lee in front of them, this duo struggle with the second. Neither give their par saves a good look with the putter and they both drop back to their overnight scores.

Bogeys for Lee and Bennett

Saturday 17 June 2023 23:50 , Ben Fleming

Lee -5 (2), Bennett -4 (2)

A lot of golfers struggle to judge the distance into this second and Min Woo is another. He comes up short and can’t make the putt for par so he moves back to five under. Bennett is in trouble off the tee and he also drops a shot.

Cam Smith bounces back

Saturday 17 June 2023 23:48 , Ben Fleming

Scheffler -5 (3), Smith -4 (3)

He’ll need a might fine second round and Cam Smit bounces back in the best possible way after his bogey on the second. It’s a fine shot into the third and he sinks a putt to move back to four under.

Scheffler misses his birdie effort and stays at five under.

Opening-hole birdie for Rory

Saturday 17 June 2023 23:46 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -9 (1), Schauffele -7 (1)

Eagle chance for Rory...not to be. It slides past the left side. It’s still a good birdie and he’s into a tie for second.

Credit to Schauffele who responds very well with his approach shot in. He makes a good putt and escapes with just a bogey at the first.

Disaster for Schauffele on the first

Saturday 17 June 2023 23:40 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -8, Schauffele -8

Our penultimate pair are underway as Schauffele finds the bunker with McIlroy right up the middle.

Schauffele goes first and oh my goodness, what has he done? Not once but TWICE he catches the lip of the bunker and the ball stays in the sand. He finally gets it out with his fourth but he’s now in damage limitation mode.

McIlroy seems unfazed by it all and hits a glorious iron shot onto the front of the green. It feeds nicely down towards the hole and he’ll have a good look at eagle.

Opening birdies for Johnson and English

Saturday 17 June 2023 23:36 , Ben Fleming

Johnson -7 (1), English -8 (1)

Just the start this pair would have been after as they both take care of the par-five first. Johnson shows good touch to chip it close after three, while English holes his birdie putt nicely.

They move up to seven and eight under par respectively.

Bogey for Smith and Scheffler

Saturday 17 June 2023 23:32 , Ben Fleming

Scheffler -5 (2), Smith -3 (2)

Not the start of the tee that Smith would have wanted. Way right on the first and way left on the second. He hacks out onto the fairway but can’t make his up-and-down par save and drops back to three under.

Scheffler perhaps misclubs into the second green and his ball ends up in the greenside rough. He also sees his par save eek right of the hole and he gives back his birdie at the first straight away.

Missed opportunity for Lee

Saturday 17 June 2023 23:27 , Ben Fleming

Lee -6 (1), Bennett -5 (1)

Min Woo ends up short at the par-five first and despite a good chip, can’t make the seven-foot birdie putt. He remains at six under while Bennett also makes par having gone wayward with his second shot.

Another bogey for Kim

Saturday 17 June 2023 23:25 , Ben Fleming

Kim -4 (15), Fitzpatrick -2 (15)

It was always going to be the case on this tricky back nine but Tom Kim is fighting to hold his good round together. He gets stuck in the front bunker at this short par three and, with a tough lie, he’s unable to get up and down to save his par.

Fitzpatrick, however, is ten inches away from his second hole-in-one of the tournament and taps in for his birdie to move to two under par.

Koepka holes out

Saturday 17 June 2023 23:19 , Ben Fleming

Koepka -3 (12)

Brooks didn’t have the first couple of rounds he was after but he’s making a solid move this morning. A birdie on 10 is followed by a hole-out from the bunker of 12 to move him up to three under for the tournament.

Birdie start for Scheffler

Saturday 17 June 2023 23:15 , Ben Fleming

Scheffler -6 (1), Smith -4 (1)

The first hole done from one of our marquee groups and Scheffler gets off in perfect fashion. Drive down the fairway, iron to 20 feet and a simple enough two-putt for birdie. He’s up to six under par.

Cam Smith gets in trouble off the tee and then finds the greenside bunker. He can’t get up and down for a birdie and it’s a par for him. That feels like a missed opportunity at this gettable first hole.

Harrington the early clubhouse leader

Saturday 17 June 2023 23:05 , Ben Fleming

Harrington -1 (67)

Padraig finishes off for a superb round of 67 to sit at one under par with Patrick Cantlay as the early clubhouse leaders.

Burns and DeChambeau on the move

Saturday 17 June 2023 23:03 , Ben Fleming

Burns -3 (6), DeChambeau -4 (9)

These two Americans are looking to make their move up the board today and have started very nicely. Sam Burns chips in at the sixth while DeChambeau hits a splendid tee shot into the ninth which almost goes in for a hole-in-one.

They sit at three and four under respectively.

Kim falters

Saturday 17 June 2023 23:00 , Ben Fleming

Fitzpatrick -1 (13), Kim -5 (13)

A first bogey of the day for Tom Kim who gets in trouble after a poor chip shot. He’s back at five under par while Fitzpatrick moves into the red with a good long-range putt.

Rickie rolls back the years

Saturday 17 June 2023 22:58 , Ben Fleming

Fowler (-10), Clark (-9) - 23:40pm BST

In our final group, fan-favourite Rickie Fowler has the lead and will play alongside recent PGA Tour winner Wyndham Clark. Fowler broke the record for the lowest US Open score with his first-round 62 and tied the record for the lowest 36-hole score after yesterday’s round of 68.

He leads by one over Clark who has looked right at home in contention for the first time at a major championship. Time will tell how he manages this new pressure of the final group but he’s had an excellent year on tour so you suspect he’ll fit right in.

Solid start for Hovland

Saturday 17 June 2023 22:55 , Ben Fleming

Hovland -3 (8)

The Norwegian was runner-up at last month’s US PGA Championship and secured his first win on American soil recently at the Memorial. He’s a way back in this tournament but has taken care of the two par fives on the front nine to sit at three under par.

Is it McIlroy’s time?

Saturday 17 June 2023 22:49 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy (-8), Schauffele (-8) - 23:29pm BST

The penultimate pair today is made up of four-time major champion Rory McIlroy and Olympic champion Xander Schauffele. The American has five top tens in six US Open appearances and battled back well in the tough afternoon conditions having held the overnight lead following his record-breaking first round.

He will play alongside Rory McIlroy who continues his search for his first major since 2014. The Northern Irishman has looked very solid this week and sits just two shots off the lead. He’s one of the most experienced players up at the top of the leaderboard and will look to make that count.

Round three pin positions

Saturday 17 June 2023 22:43 , Ben Fleming

For those just joining, here is a look at the pins for today. Plenty tucked away (I’m looking at you, hole 5) and a really fun one on the 15th which will play just 81 (!) yards - that should be must-see golf.

Kim still going strong

Saturday 17 June 2023 22:39 , Ben Fleming

Fitzpatrick E (10), Kim -6 (10)

A couple of easy pars for Kim on the not-so-easy 12th and 13th. He remains at six under and you suspect he’d be pretty happy to get into the clubhouse like that.

Dustin Johnson battles into contention

Saturday 17 June 2023 22:34 , Ben Fleming

Johnson (-6), English (-7) - 23:18pm BST

Dustin Johnson’s hopes in this tournament looked over after a quadruple bogey on the second yesterday. However, it was a battling next 16 holes from the two-time major champion to finish even par for his round. The LIV golfer is four off the lead and won this tournament seven years ago.

Alongside him is Harris English, who has two top fives at the US Open and sits alone at seven under par. He’s got the temperament and consistency for a course like this and may well be sneaking under the radar compared to those around him.

Dropped shot for Matsuyama

Saturday 17 June 2023 22:25 , Ben Fleming

Matsuyama -3 (11)

Tom Kim’s breathtaking performance has taken all the attention but Hideki Matsuyama is certainly another putting together a nice round. A disappointing three-putt sees him drop one on 11 but he’s still four under for his round and in a tie for 12th currently.

Sam Bennett debuts new look for third round

Saturday 17 June 2023 22:17 , Ben Fleming

Bennett (-5), MW Lee (-6) - 23:07pm BST

In our fourth final group, we have rising stars Sam Bennett and Min Woo Lee. Bennett made his name as an amateur with a stellar T16 finish at the Masters but has since turned professional. Two solid rounds have him at five under par and the young American seeks to move up the leaderboard today without the help of his goatee, which he appears to have shaved off before the round.

Min Woo Lee shot the round of the day yesterday and the Aussie will be hoping to showcase more of his ball-striking excellence to get up and around the leaders at ten under par.

Three in a row for Kim

Saturday 17 June 2023 22:12 , Ben Fleming

Fitzpatrick E (10), Kim -6 (10)

Tom Kim is officially on fire out there in Los Angeles. His second into the tenth leaves him just under nine feet for his birdie and he makes no mistake. No up to six under for the tournament and just four off the lead. Can the 20-year-old hold it together over the final eight holes?

Harrington birdies 15

Saturday 17 June 2023 22:10 , Ben Fleming

Harrington -2 (15)

The three-time major champion has enjoyed a real career resurgence these last few years as he balances competing on the PGA Tour and PGA Champions Tour.

Here today, the Irishman is four under for the day after a lovely wedge shot into the short 15th. That will be a tricky customer today but he takes care of it easily and moves to two under par for the tournament.

Kim with another birdie

Saturday 17 June 2023 22:02 , Ben Fleming

Fitzpatrick E (9), Kim -5 (9)

This round from Kim is seriously impressive. He follows birdie at eight with a wonderful iron into the par-three ninth and makes another birdie - his sixth of the day. That also ties the lowest-ever nine-hole score in US Open history!

He’s now just five shots back off the lead and if he can hold it together on the back nine, he should be in the thick of it tomorrow.

What can Scottie Scheffler do

Saturday 17 June 2023 21:59 , Ben Fleming

Smith (-4), Scheffler (-5) - 22:56pm BST

With about an hour to go until the key contenders get underway, let’s begin to take a look at third-round pairings.

Perhaps the first one of note is that containing Open champion Cam Smith and world number one Scottie Scheffler. The American has enjoyed another stellar year, capturing the Players Championship earlier a few months ago, but has been let down by his putter in the last month.

He’s sitting well at five under par and certainly has the ball-striking capabilities to contend in these tougher conditions.

Cam Smith, meanwhile, has gone rather under the radar since his move to LIV last summer but the Aussie is right in it at four under par. He’s got the creativity and putting prowess that will prove vital as this course gets firmer but, like Scheffler, may need a low round today to really force himself into contention tomorrow.

Defending champion back to level par

Saturday 17 June 2023 21:49 , Ben Fleming

Fitzpatrick E (8), Kim -4 (8)

Matt Fitzpatrick is some way off the leaders as he bids to defend his US Open title. It’s a feat few have ever managed but a birdie at eight is the step in the right direction.

Tom Kim is really progressing nicely alongside him and he too makes birdie at the par five. Up to four under now for the two-time PGA Tour winner.

Nice start for DeChambeau

Saturday 17 June 2023 21:38 , Ben Fleming

DeChambeau -2 (1)

The American had a really disappointing end to his round yesterday but he’s put his best foot forward this morning with a birdie at the opening hole.

Theegala moving up

Saturday 17 June 2023 21:33 , Ben Fleming

Theegala -2 (3)

The first and third are proving very profitable in these early goings and Theegala is another who makes the most of them with a pair of birdies to move to two under par for the tournament.

Kim and Matsuyama making early moves

Saturday 17 June 2023 21:23 , Ben Fleming

Kim -3 (6), Matsuyama -2 (6)

I can’t profess to have seen many of Tom Kim’s golf shots over the first two days of action but the young South Korean is making himself known today with four birdies in his first six holes. He’s up to minus three for the tournament.

The task for anyone out there currently will be to post a score and hope those leaders can come further back to the field in the tougher afternoon conditions.

Three birdies in four for Morikawa

Saturday 17 June 2023 21:20 , Ben Fleming

Morikawa -1 (4)

More evidence of that faster scoring of the front nine in the form of Collin Morikawa. The two-time major champion fought back well yesterday to make the cut and, despite a double bogey on the second, is one under for his round and the tournament after another birdie at the fourth.

Cantlay dropping back

Saturday 17 June 2023 21:17 , Ben Fleming

Cantlay -1 (13)

It’s been no hidden secret that the back nine has been the substantially harder nine over the first couple of days and we’re seeing more evidence of it here.

Patrick Cantlay flew out of the blocks with a five-under-par first nine but after back-to-back bogeys he is now back at one under.

Coming up later

Saturday 17 June 2023 21:12 , Ben Fleming

Early signs point to plenty of sun out there in Los Angeles. That heat should continue to bake out the course and, in turn, make it significantly harder for those playing later.

We saw a sneak peak at that towards the end of yesterday’s rounds but it could be an even trickier prospect facing our leaders and the chasing pack.

US Open 2023 - third round

Saturday 17 June 2023 20:56 , Luke Baker

Some early shots from moving day at Los Angeles Country Club

Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website