US Open leaderboard LIVE: Golf result and reaction as Rory McIlroy outduelled by Wyndham Clark

Rory McIlroy is in contention to win the US Open and goes into the final round playing alongside the world No 1 Scottie Scheffler as they vie with the overnight leaders, Rickie Fowler and Wyndham Clark, at Los Angeles Country Club.

The former US Open champion Dustin Johnson and the Olympic champion Xander Schauffele are in the chasing pack looking to shoot low and get themselves in the mix.

McIlroy hasn’t won a major since the 2014 PGA Championship at Valhalla, which followed his Open title at Hoylake that year. It was hard to imagine he would go some nine years without another. He hasn’t exactly shined the last two weeks when he had a chance to win: he was tied for the 54-hole lead at the Memorial and shot 75 to finish four back; and then last week in the Canadian Open, he was two shots behind going into Sunday and shot 72 to finish five back. Will he break that trend today?

Relive all the action from the final round of the 123rd US Open below.

US Open – final round live

• Wyndham Clark outduels Rory McIlroy in final round of US Open at Los Angeles Country Club

• Clark wins his first major, while McIlroy’s nine-year drought continues

• Leaderboard: -10: Wyndham Clark (F);

• -9: Rory McIlroy (F);

• -7: Scottie Scheffler (F);

• -6: Cameron Smith (F);

• -5: Tommy Fleetwood (F), Min Woo Lee (F), Rickie Fowler (F);

WYNDHAM CLARK WINS THE US OPEN

02:57 , Ben Fleming

The winning moment for the American:

WYNDHAM CLARK WINS THE US OPEN

02:52 , Ben Fleming

Clark -10 (70)

The crowd are hardly giving Clark the ideal circumstances in which to try and two-putt for his maiden major championship.

But up he steps...over the ridge, perfect pace and it’s a marvellous putt.

It’s a mere tap in for the par and CLARK WINS THE US OPEN!

Safely on the green , Clark leads by one

02:46 , Ben Fleming

Clark -10 (17)

From the fairway, he takes aim and finds the fairway but it’s short. He would have wanted it to hop on a few bounces but he’ll have to two-putt from around 60 feet to win the US Open.

Goodness knows what must be going through his mind right now.

Scheffler finishes off

02:45 , Ben Fleming

Scheffler -7 (70)

In all the chaos, Scottie Scheffler fought back well to end with an even-par round of 70.

That’s nine top 10s in his last 11 major starts - relentless stuff from the world number one.

Clark on the fairway

02:42 , Ben Fleming

Clark -10 (17)

One hole stands between Wyndham Clark and the history books.

He’s underway at the last and he’s on the fairway. In the fading sunlight, he can’t see where it ended up but it’s safe and that’s all that matters for him.

McIlroy makes par, Clark needs par to win

02:39 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -9 (70)

It will be about 40 feet for McIlroy for the unlikeliest of birdies at the last...not to be.

It’s another good roll but it just dives to the left at the end.

A par for Clark at the last wins it.

Clark leads by one heading up the last

02:37 , Ben Fleming

Clark -10 (17)

Another glorious scramble from Clark around the green who knocks the chip to tap-in territory.

If Rory misses his birdie putt, Clark just needs a par to win the US Open.

Outside chance of birdie for Rory on 18

02:36 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -9 (17), Scheffler -7 (17)

186 yards for Rory into this 18th green. He pulls away from the ball initially but refocuses...it’s pin high but left by quite some way. That will be a huge ask to make that for birdie.

Scheffler, meanwhile, hits a lovely approach shot over the pin and will have a good look at birdie

Clark misses green right on 17

02:34 , Ben Fleming

Clark -10 (16)

It’s not an overly positive reaction from Clark as the ball takes flight and it’s leaked out a bit to the right of the green. He should have a clean look the pin to get down for his par, though.

US Open 2023: Can McIlroy catch Clark?

02:33 , Luke Baker

The tension has ramped up to unbearable levels. Can Rory McIlroy snatch the most improbable of victories?

McIlroy down the fairway on 18

02:30 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -9 (17)

Down the last, with the sun setting into his face, McIlroy pipes one down the middle. He’s got to be thinking birdie.

Clark on the fairway

02:29 , Ben Fleming

Clark -10 (16)

The penultimate drive of the day for Clark. He yells for it to get down but it’s fine and pulls up short of the bunker.

What can McIlroy do on the hole ahead?

Par for McIlroy, trails by one

02:27 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -9 (17), Scheffler -7 (17)

Rory has just over 30 feet for his par and it’s a great roll but it just stays out to the right. Another par for him.

Scheffler gets out of the bunker well and saves his par to remain at seven under.

Back-to-back bogeys, Clark leads by one

02:25 , Luke Baker

Fowler -6 (16), Clark -10 (16)

Clark up first with about six feet to save his par...and it misses. It burns the right edge and doesn’t drop. Back-to-back bogeys and he’s now back to ten under par.

Fowler makes a mess of the hole and also signs off with a bogey five.

Clark’s lead is just ONE

Beauty from Clark into 16

02:22 , Ben Fleming

Clark -11 (15), McIlrory -9 (16)

Ice cold from Wyndham Clark who stuffs his wedge in close. He’ll have a cracking look at a par save. McIlroy meanwhile flies it all the way across the trees and the fairway to the 17th green. It lands, takes a couple of bounces but trickles out past the green.

Clark lays up, McIlroy onto the second fairway

02:19 , Ben Fleming

Clark -11 (15), McIlrory -9 (16)

As suspected, Clark has no option but to lay up out of the bunker. He’ll have an up and down from the fairway to remain at eleven under.

Up ahead on 16, McIlroy goes left. It’s way left but it appears that was the plan as he’s on the second fairway, presumably trying to give himself an angle into the pin. The drama!

Bunker for Clark

02:13 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -7 (15), Clark -11 (15)

Two far-from-ideal drives from our final pair.

Fowler goes way right with his while Clark’s tee shot refuses to fade back into the fairway and catches the left bunker. It nestles up against the face, surely he can’t take on the green from there?

Gutsy par save from McIlroy

02:11 , Luke Baker

McIlroy -9 (16), Scheffler -7 (16)

Out of the thick rough, Rory does fantastically to chase his ball up onto the green and give himself a look at par. It’s over 60 feet and he gives it an aggressive role but it goes past. Seven feet for par...and it makes it. It’s only seven feet but that’s far and away one of the bigger putts he has made today.

Scheffler hits a beautiful iron into this green and makes a well-deserved birdie from close range. He loves these closing holes - can he now produce the same magic that he did yesterday?

Bogey for Clark, leads by two

02:08 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -7 (15), Clark -11 (15)

Fowler gives his birdie putt a role and it burns the right edge - a close call but another par.

Clark chips on but the ball runs away to the right and it’s a tricky par putt...wide! It’s a good roll but it doesn’t drop. His lead is reduced to two.

Rory in the rough, trails by three

02:03 , Ben Fleming

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

You feel like Rory needs one birdie on the way in to try and force something magical. With that in mind, it’s hardly an idea start as his drive on 16 finds the thick rough next to the bunker.

That will be a hack out for Rory and see how far he can run that up the green.

Clark leads by three

02:01 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -7 (14), Clark -12 (14)

Onto the par-three 15th for the leader and is he in a small spot of bother? He misses the green long and left and that will be a tricky downhill putt.

Fowler finds the heart of the green as he targets another birdie.

McIlroy makes par

01:59 , Ben Fleming

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

And the wait goes on for Rory. It’s a solid stroke but it just doesn’t die in the hole and misses on the high side. It’s another par and with that birdie from Clark moments earlier, he now trails by three with three to play.

Scheffler makes his par to remain at six under.

Clark leads by three

01:58 , Luke Baker

Fowler -7 (14), Clark -12 (14)

Clark gives his eagle putt a good run but it just misses on the right side. It’s a kick-in birdie and he now leads by four.

It feels like his tournament to lose now.

Fowler pours one in for a welcome birdie to move him back into solo third at seven under.

Rory on the 15th green

01:53 , Ben Fleming

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

The pin has been moved to the back of this short par-three 15th but Rory has to attack it regardless. It’s a decent effort that comes to rest 20 feet beneath the hole.

Something has to drop for Rory.

Wonderful shot from Clark

01:51 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -6 (13), Clark -11 (13)

Clark has had to wait a while for the green to clear but he’s not putt off one bit. Fairway metal in hand and he chases it up onto the front edge of the green. Fantastic shot and he’ll have a look at eagle.

Fowler goes way left with his shot.

Bogey for McIlroy

01:49 , Luke Baker

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

Scheffler does very well from the bunker to give himself a look at birdie but he can’t convert. That had to go.

McIlroy chips his ball out of the rough to about 10 feet for his par. It feels like a must-make putt at this point and he hasn’t made anything so far today...and that continues. It goes past the right edge and it’s a bogey six.

It could have been much worse but that still feels a massive blow to his chances.

Huge break from Rory

01:44 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -10 (13), Scheffler -6 (13)

Wedge in hand from 120 yards...and it comes up short. McIlroy is hunched over in disbelief. Initially, it looked to be in the bunker but that was Scheffler’s ball. Instead, it has wedged into the face of the bunker. It’s not too dissimilar from Viktor Hovland’s ball in the final round of the US PGA Championship last month.

It’s a huge break for Rory, as just like Viktor last month, he gets a free drop. Massive, massive break.

McIlroy forced to lay up

01:37 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -10 (13), Scheffler -6 (13)

Onto the long par-five 14th and Rory goes left off the tee. He’s in the rough and opts to lay up.

Scottie takes on the green in two but his ends up in the greenside bunker.

Pars for Fowler and Clark

01:36 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -6 (13), Clark -11 (13)

Clark does really well to muscle it out from the thick rough and onto the green. It runs out to the opposite side of the green to the flag but it’s a perfectly judged lag putt to secure his par.

Rickie gives himself a good look at birdie from just over 20 feet but he doesn’t hit it and it comes up short.

A couple of pars for these two.

Another solid par for Rory.

01:29 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -10 (13), Scheffler -6 (13)

Scottie is even further away than McIlroy but no problem! Over 50 feet but it turns and falls into the heart of the cup. A wry smile and a clenched fist from the world number one but he still looks too far back as things stand.

McIlroy nurses his putt up there but it falls comfortably short. It’s an easy two-putt, his 12th of the round so far, and he remains at ten under.

Clark in the rough

01:26 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -6 (12), Clark -11 (12)

Not the drive Wyndham would have wanted. His natural shot is a fade which isn’t ideal for this hole. He sets it off too far to the left and despite his shouts at the ball to get through, it remains in the left rough.

Fowler finds the left side of the fairway.

Rory safely aboard the 13th

01:24 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -10 (12), Scheffler -5 (12)

Rory takes aim, trying to hook it back in against the breeze, and does so well. He’ll have about 40 feet for a birdie. Scheffler finds the heart of the green as he goes in search of an almighty comeback.

Clark maintains his lead, Rickie drops further back

01:19 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -6 (12), Clark -11 (12)

Rickie finds himself in the rough and has to lay up. It’s a really aggressive wedge in and he gets the reward. He’ll have just under 11 feet to save his par but it slides by. His bid to win his first major championship seems to be all but over.

Clark has about 80 yards into this green but takes no chances. He’ll have a lengthy downhill putt from a similar spot to Scheffler moments ago. It’s judged far better than his American counterpart and that will be a par.

Back-to-back bogeys for Scheffler

01:11 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -10 (12), Scheffler -5 (12)

Both find the putting surface in regulation but these greens are becoming mighty fast and it’s almost impossible to spin anything or get it to stop on the greens.

McIlroy is up first and it’s another good effort from him which just doesn’t die into the hole. He’s still yet to make anything of note today but he’s certainly lagged these long putts down well.

Scottie, meanwhile...his putting is still all over the place. He hits it far too firm and through the break with his first effort before his second putt is pushed out to the right. Back-to-back bogeys for him and surely he is too far back now.

Cam Smith making a move

01:06 , Luke Baker

Smith -6 (15)

He won’t end up winning (famous last words) but Cam Smith is putting together some performance on this devilish back nine. He makes birdie at the 15th for his third since the turn. Impressive stuff from the Open champion.

Clark saves par, Rickie continues to falter

01:04 , Luke Baker

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

Well, I thought that would be tricky. Instead, Wyndham Clark nearly holes out from the rough - ridiculous shot. He taps in to save his par and one-shot lead.

Fowler, meanwhile, does really well with his bunker shot but he can’t save the par. It just misses on the left side and he’s back to seven under.

A pair of bad tee shots

Monday 19 June 2023 00:58 , Ben Fleming

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

It’s getting nervy out there and the final pair are feeling it. Fowler finds the same bunker as Scheffler while Clark’s tee shot doesn’t come back in from the left and runs out into the rough to the right off the green. That should be a tricky up and down to save his par.

Scheffler drops further off the pace

Monday 19 June 2023 00:55 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -10 (11), Scheffler -6 (11)

It’s just over 18 feet for the birdie...and it’s extremely tentative. It’s a really good three on that hole but the putting has to be a concern at this point for Rory. Ten pars in a row is no mean feat, however, and he’ll need plenty more of them in the final seven holes.

Scheffler has his par save but he races it past the hole. Still plenty of work to be done for the bogey...but he makes it. Another shot goes for Scheffler and he will need a remarkable back nine to force his way into contention.

Cracking par-three approach from Rory

Monday 19 June 2023 00:50 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -10 (10), Scheffler -7 (10)

Crikey, that is some strike from Rory into this massive par three. He runs it all the way back and will have another look at birdie.

Scheffler struggles again with his irons and ends up in the sand but it’s a good second to give himself a look at par.

Pars for Fowler and Clark

Monday 19 June 2023 00:48 , Ben Fleming

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

Neither Rory or Scottie could take advantage of the tenth but Clark has another great look after a solid wedge. It’s just over 15 feet from right to left but he pushes it through the break and that will be a par.

Fowler ends up short of the green in two but shows good touch with his putter to tidy up for a par.

Onto the long 11th...

Great par save from Clark

Monday 19 June 2023 00:39 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -8 (9), Clark -11 (9)

Clark hasn’t composed himself fully and his tee shot squirms out to the left and gets stuck in the rough once again. From there, however, it is a remarkable wedge out and a nerveless putt down the slope to save his par. That combined with McIlroy’s miss on the tenth maintains his one-shot lead.

Fowler’s tee shot comes up short of the green and he can’t convert his look at birdie.

The final group make the turn - Clark leads by one.

Another missed opportunity for Rory

Monday 19 June 2023 00:37 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -10 (10), Scheffler -7 (10)

This tenth is one of the more gettable holes on the back nine and both players give themselves good looks from both sides of the hole. Scheffler hits a really poor stroke which flies past to the left.

McIlroy gives his a good look...but again it slides by. Another one bites the dust for McIlroy.

Big miss for Johnson

Monday 19 June 2023 00:31 , Ben Fleming

Johnson -5 (10)

We haven’t seen plenty of Dustin Johnson and while his playing partner Harris English has fallen by the wayside, Johnson remains at five under. That being said, he misses a really good look at birdie on the tenth that could have moved him up to six under. A big back nine required from him.

Tournament ender for Schauffele

Monday 19 June 2023 00:28 , Ben Fleming

Schauffele -3 (10)

Just ahead of McIlroy, Schauffele has made an absolute meal of the tenth. He catches it flush out of the bunker before duffing a chip from the back of the green. To top it all off, he misses a small putt and with that triple-bogey seven, his chances are gone.

Bogey for Clark

Monday 19 June 2023 00:26 , Luke Baker

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

All things considered, that’s a really good chip out from the rough by Clark. He rolls it close and escapes with just a bogey.

Fowler, meanwhile, remains focused and knocks in his birdie to move back up to eight under par.

Another once passes Rory by

Monday 19 June 2023 00:24 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -10 (9), Scheffler -7 (9)

I don’t want to say it, but it’s starting to feel like the putting display we saw last summer at St Andrews from Rory. And we all know how that ended up.

It’s a tricky putt down the slope but it never looks like testing the hole and it’s another par for Rory. However, with Clark’s mishap on the hole prior he is still well in this.

Scheffler recovers well from the bunker to make his par and stay in touching distance as this pair make the turn.

Clark in trouble

Monday 19 June 2023 00:22 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -7 (7), Clark -12 (7)

Clark now has a chance to really put the pressure on as he heads to the par-five eighth. It’s a nice drive but he hooks his second shot left off the green and it’s in some thick rough. He takes a swing but doesn’t get it out!

Could that be the first sign of nerves? He takes another swipe but it flies the green and he’ll now have a big ask to save his par.

Another birdie chance for Rory at nine

Monday 19 June 2023 00:18 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -10 (8), Scheffler -7 (8)

How will Rory compose himself after that miss? By creating another good look at birdie. It’s a half-swing seven iron and he’ll have just over 12 feet for his birdie.

Scheffler is really struggling with his irons, uncharacteristically so, and his ball has an awkward lie in the rough by the greenside bunker.

Bad birdie miss from Rory

Monday 19 June 2023 00:13 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -10 (8), Scheffler -7 (8)

Both McIlroy and Scheffler find the fairway with their drives. Scheffler hits a monster second onto the green while McIlroy uses the bank next to the bunker to run one up to the fringe. His first putt is tentative and he still has work to do for his birdie...but it goes by. Just four feet but he jabs at it and how costly could that be?

Scheffler gives his a good stroke but it just hangs out to the right. A good bounce-back-birdie for Scottie.

Another bogey for Fowler

Monday 19 June 2023 00:08 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -7 (7), Clark -12 (7)

Rickie tries to get too cute with that chip shot and it ends up in more rough. It’s a cute second chip but that will be another bogey for Rickie. Three so far and he’s now way back at seven under

Clark gives his birdie putt a great roll but it just can’t hang on and misses to the right. More confident play from the leader who heads to the par-five eighth.

Back-to-back birdies for Schauffele

Monday 19 June 2023 00:05 , Ben Fleming

Schauffele -6 (9)

The American notches another one up at nine to move himself to six under par as he makes the turn. A might back nine if he is to stand any chance.

More concern for Fowler

Monday 19 June 2023 00:04 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -8 (6), Clark -12 (6)

Rickie Fowler needs to get a grip of this round, and quickly, as his chances are fading fast. On the mammoth seventh he goes way right and will face an awkward stance in the rough with a bunker between him and the hole.

Clark finds a similar route to McIlroy and his ball comes to a rest on the left edge of the green.

Bogey for Scheffler

Sunday 18 June 2023 23:59 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -10 (7), Scheffler -6 (7)

Ahead on seven and Scheffler gets a good break with a free drop from the woods. He hacks it out and across the green but it’s a really tame putt to try and save par and he drops back to six under.

Rory again gives his birdie putt a good roll but it misses on the right side. Some of these need to drop sooner rather than latter for him.

US Open 2023

Sunday 18 June 2023 23:58 , Luke Baker

It’s been a mixed bag for the contenders so far today and, against the odds, it’s Wyndham Clark currently looking the strongest - leading by two at the top.

Clark leads by two

Sunday 18 June 2023 23:56 , Luke Baker

Fowler -8 (6), Clark -12 (6)

Fowler lays up on the sixth but it’s a relatively average wedge shot in by his standards. He gives it a good roll but it just misses on the right and he continues to seek out his first birdie of the day.

Clark, meanwhile, opts for the driving iron up the right, with his ball stopping in the rough short of the green. It’s an uphill lie and sitting down but it’s a marvellous chip to just five feet and he knocks in his third birdie off the tee.

Wyndham Clark leads by two.

Scheffler in trouble

Sunday 18 June 2023 23:51 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -10 (6), Scheffler -7 (6)

Ahead onto the par-three seventh and it’s the world number one this time who is in trouble off the tee. And plenty of it. His drive heads left, way left and it’s unclear whether it has come down amongst the trees.

McIlroy played before him, safely finding the front-left portion of the green with the pin on the front right.

Five straight pars for Rory

Sunday 18 June 2023 23:46 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -10 (6), Scheffler -7 (6)

The short par-four sixth is up next. McIlroy looks to be taking it on but it goes way right and into the thick rough. He hacks out onto the green but it all runs away from the pin. It’s a slippery birdie putt which he leaves about four feet short for his par...and he makes it. A confident stroke from Rory.

Scheffler opts to lay up and spins his back to within 15 feet. A good chance for the world number one but he leaves it short! It’s right in the jaws of the hole but not enough pace. Six pars in a row to start for him.

Two bogeys in five for Fowler

Sunday 18 June 2023 23:42 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -8 (5), Clark -11 (5)

Both these two find the green in regulation but it’s Fowler who makes a mess of it. He’s putted so confidently these first three days, but he leaves his first effort short and can’t follow in with the par save. He’s back to eight under now and three off the lead.

Clark follows him but makes no mistake and it’s a tap-in birdie to maintain his lead.

So close for McIlroy

Sunday 18 June 2023 23:33 , Luke Baker

McIlroy -10 (5), Scheffler -7 (5)

As we expected, Rory has to muscle his out of the rough to the left of the green. He opts for the putter from long range...and it lips out! A frankly ridiculous effort that nearly drops. It was running on past by quite some way so perhaps a lucky break too but a smirk nevertheless from Rory in the direction of his caddie, Harry Diamond.

It should be a simple tap-in par but crikey it nearly lips out! A look of surprise by McIlroy at how much that ball moved but it’s a par and that’s all that matters.

Scheffler is renowned for his approach play but that isn’t one of his best and it flies through to the back of the green. His third is nervy and left short but it’s a good par save to remain at seven under

Clark leads by one

Sunday 18 June 2023 23:28 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -9 (4), Clark -11 (4)

Fowler does extraordinarily well to muscle his second back past the pin and he follows it up with a good par putt to remain at nine under.

Clark takes advantage of his excellent tee shot and knocks it in for birdie to take a one-shot lead.

Fantastic approach from Clark

Sunday 18 June 2023 23:23 , Luke Baker

Fowler -9 (3), Clark -10 (3)

If Rory’s tee shot into the fourth was good, Clark’s is otherworldly. A high fade which comes to rest about eight feet from the hole. He could well take the lead with that birdie chance.

Fowler’s comes up short and he’s in the barranca. That will be a good par save from there.

Ahead on the fifth, Scheffler finds the fairway but McIlroy’s drive is heading right and wanders into the rough and that is sitting down. Not a good break for the Northern Irishman.

Bounce back for Schauffele

Sunday 18 June 2023 23:20 , Ben Fleming

Schauffele -5 (5)

Xander rolls in a nice putt on the fifth to reclaim the shot he lost on the second earlier. He’s back up into fifth but will need an almighty performance to get in contention.

Solid par for McIlroy

Sunday 18 June 2023 23:17 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -10 (4), Scheffler -7 (4)

The long par-three fourth hasn’t been Rory’s best friend over the last couple of rounds but he makes an almighty great swing on the tee to give himself an outside look at birdie. It’s from 22 feet, and confidently hit, but it races past on the right. A par for him.

Scheffler’s tee shot comes up short with the pin in the back but it’s expertly-judged by the American to get down in two from there.

Clark and Fowler par the third

Sunday 18 June 2023 23:15 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -9 (3), Clark -10 (3)

Fowler and Clark hit some very decent wedge shots into the third and they will have birdie efforts from a similar range to McIlroy. Fowler’s effort is tame and dies to the right and comes up short. Clark gets a good read but his just misses on the left-hand side.

A pair of pars for the final duo.

Three in a row for Morikawa

Sunday 18 June 2023 23:09 , Ben Fleming

Morikawa -5 (10)

The two-time major champion fought back well on Friday to make the cut and he’s now up into the top five after three birdies in as many holes at 8, 9 and 10.

Some positive signs perhaps coming from the American who has endured a quiet season by his lofty standards.

Pars for McIlroy and Scheffler at the third

Sunday 18 June 2023 23:06 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -10 (3), Scheffler -7 (3)

This third pin is tucked away but McIlroy has had success on this hole in rounds two and three. He gives himself another great look as his wedge spins back to about 11 feet. It’s a slippery putt down the slope but it just rolls by. A confident par putt in the end and he remains in a tie for the lead.

Scheffler has a look from a bit further back but his just misses on the left side. Another near-miss with the putter for Scheffler - how many times will we be saying that over the course of today?

Clark and Fowler bogey second

Sunday 18 June 2023 23:03 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -9 (2), Clark -10 (2)

Clark’s second ends up in a similar spot to McIlroy. Rory nursed it down brilliantly but Clark gets his stuck on the ridge in the middle of the green and he has plenty to do for his par now. He’s putted well this week but this one goes astray and he gives a shot back straight away after his birdie on the first

Fowler’s second flew into the rough and, despite hacking out well, he still has 13 feet for his par. It dies before he hole and that will be a bogey for him too.

Not the ideal start for this final pairing.

Fleetwood denied history at the last

Sunday 18 June 2023 22:55 , Ben Fleming

Fleetwood -5 (63)

He needed a birdie at the last to equal the lowest record in US Open history and he sets up a great chance with a superb iron into the last! He’s got just under seven feet for the birdie...but he shoves it wide. A horrible, nervy putt from the Englishman and he is denied a spot alongside Fowler and Schauffele in the history books.

A great round of 63 has him up in fifth but that will no doubt sting for Fleetwood.

Pars for McIlroy and Scheffler

Sunday 18 June 2023 22:52 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -10 (2), Scheffler -7 (2)

Two fairways and greens found in regulation for these two. McIlroy’s putt is from quite some distance but he judges it brilliantly in from the left and that is a tap in par.

Scheffler has a good look at birdie but it’s a bad stroke in all honestly and it dies comfortably short of the hole.

Nightmare start for English

Sunday 18 June 2023 22:50 , Ben Fleming

English -4 (2), Johnson -4 (2)

Harris English was so solid yesterday on the front nine but it’s the complete opposite today. He goes way right off the tee again and has to lay up. It goes from bad to worse as he ends up off the green after four shots. It’s a double-bogey six and that could be fatal for his chances.

Johnson also makes bogey and he too drops back to four under.

Clark leads by one

Sunday 18 June 2023 22:47 , Ben Fleming

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

As suspected, Rickie has to lay up out of the thick rough. His third shot in creates an opening for birdie but his effort dies to the right and he’ll have to settle for par.

Clark’s adrenaline must be going as he fires one a bit long on the first but the rough isn’t too thick and he’s able to pitch it up close. He converts for a birdie and moves into a solo lead at the top.

Good par save for Fleetwood

Sunday 18 June 2023 22:43 , Ben Fleming

Fleetwood -5 (17)

He flies his birdie attempt past the hole but it’s a nerveless return putt to save his par. Can he find an unlikely birdie on the last to equal the lowest round in US Open history, set by Rickie Fowler and Xander Schauffele on Thursday?

McIlroy into a share of the lead

Sunday 18 June 2023 22:35 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -10 (1), Scheffler -7 (1)

Scheffler can only hack out into the rough again after his drive and leaves himself with a lengthy look at birdie from across the green. It gets close and almost threatens to go in but just misses on the right side and it will be an opening-hole par for the American.

Rory plays the percentage play and fires his second right into the heart of this first green. It’s about 30 feet for eagle...just left! A really good putt and a tap-in birdie. He moves into a share of the lead.

Fowler and Clark underway

Sunday 18 June 2023 22:32 , Ben Fleming

Fowler -10, Clark -10

As the clock ticks over ten thirty here in the UK, our leaders get underway. Fowler is up first, and that is right. It nestles down in the rough and you suspect he won’t be able to get at this first green in two. Clark makes no mistake and he’s nicely positioned up the right side of the fairway.

Early bogey for Schauffele

Sunday 18 June 2023 22:31 , Ben Fleming

Schauffele -4 (2), Nagano -4 (2)

That left miss off the tee is back again for Xander and, in the end, his attempt to save par lips out on the left side. Back to four under and the absolute opposite of what he would have been looking for to start his round.

Nagano makes par to remain as he is.

Pars for English and Johnson

Sunday 18 June 2023 22:28 , Ben Fleming

English -8 (1), Johnson -6 (1)

English recovers from his horrific drive to give himself a long-range look at birdie...but it messes on the right. It’s a par but that feels even a tad fortunate given that drive.

Johnson is short after two and gives himself a good look at birdie after his first putt but it slides past. His putting has let him down these last couple of rounds and that’s a missed opportunity again at the first.

Fleetwood drops back

Sunday 18 June 2023 22:25 , Ben Fleming

Fleetwood -5 (16)

A par on 15 is met by trouble off the tee the following hole. He hacks out and has a lengthy par putt but it comes up just short. He drops back to five under and will need a birdie in the last two holes to equal the lowest US Open score.

Rory underway

Sunday 18 June 2023 22:23 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy -9, Scheffler -7

Right, here we go. McIlroy gets his round underway as he bombs a drive down the left-hand side. Scheffler hits before him and his ends up in an awful position in some thick rough next to the left fairway bunker.

Pars for Schauffele and Nagano

Sunday 18 June 2023 22:14 , Ben Fleming

Schauffele -5 (1), Nagano -4 (1)

Neither of these two can take advantage of the par-five first and walk off with a pair of pars.

English in trouble off the tee

Sunday 18 June 2023 22:12 , Ben Fleming

English -8, Johnson -6

Our third-from-last-group is underway. Johnson’s trickles into the right rough but English’s is way right. It goes beyond the spectator stand and into the food and drink area - my goodness!

Eagle for Fleetwood

Sunday 18 June 2023 22:06 , Ben Fleming

Fleetwood -6 (14)

Wow! An inch-perfect seven wood into the 14th green gives Fleetwood around 20 feet for his eagle...no mistake for the Englishman and he moves up into the dizzy heights of fifth.

He’s also eight under for the round. Another birdie coming home would see him break the record for the lowest round in major championship history...

Resurgent Fowler on the brink of history

Sunday 18 June 2023 22:03 , Ben Fleming

Fowler (-10), Clark (-10) - 22:30pm BST

Last year, Rickie Fowler didn’t even compete in the US Open, such was his fall down the world rankings. The American has three second-place finishes in major championships but few could have predicted a resurgent Rickie quite like this. He broke records in the first round with the lowest score in US Open history and will look to cement his place in this tournament’s history with a win today.

His playing partner, Wyndham Clark, is relatively unknown when compared to those around him at the top of the leaderboard, but the 29-year-old is a recent winner on the PGA Tour and has looked right at home over the last few days. A sparkling iron into 18 yesterday secured his place in the final pairing and he’ll be looking to make that count over the course of the next five or so hours.

This final pairing get underway in just under half an hour.

Cantlay into the top ten

Sunday 18 June 2023 21:56 , Ben Fleming

Cantlay -3 (3)

A birdie-par-birdie start for the American sees him jolt up the leaderboard. It’s never quite happened for him at the major championships so far but there’s still plenty of ranking points (and money) to be played for over the course of the day for those further down the leaderboard.

Final round pins

Sunday 18 June 2023 21:51 , Ben Fleming

A quick reminder of the pin locations for today - the third and seventh remain tucked again. There’s a small change in the driveable sixth too, so that will be one to watch out for.

McIlroy’s date with destiny

Sunday 18 June 2023 21:47 , Ben Fleming

McIlroy (-9), Scheffler (-7) - 22:19pm BST

If you’d told the world in 2014 that Rory McIlroy would not win another major for nine years, they would have booked you in for a brain examination.

But years later, after several close calls and near misses, here we are. His opportunity last year at St Andrews was a golden one but was ripped from him by the excellent Cam Smith. Now, less than a year on, he has another golden opportunity at LACC.

Don’t count out his playing partner Scottie Scheffler, though. The American is world number one for a reason and a late flurry last night has him four back at seven under. He’s struggled with the putter all week but if he gets it going, he may well make history of his own.

These two get underway in around half an hour.

Low amateur

Sunday 18 June 2023 21:40 , Ben Fleming

Sargent +4 (69)

Gordon Sargent is just 20 years old but he hits the ball a mighty far way. His par putt on the last inexplicably bounces back out of the cup meaning it will be a one-under-par round of 69.

Four over par for the tournament and the American is the low am here at this year’s US Open.

The thoughts of Justin Thomas

Sunday 18 June 2023 21:32 , Ben Fleming

The two-time major champion had a round to forget on Friday but will be eagerly watching from his sofa (I presume). He fancies fellow American Rickie Fowler to get the job done:

Rahm inside top ten

Sunday 18 June 2023 21:30 , Ben Fleming

Rahm -3 (11)

A superb tee shot into the long 11th sets up another look for Rahm. Having missed a tiddler on the tenth, the Spaniard makes no mistake this time to move to three under par for the tournament and creep inside the top ten.

Chance goes begging for Fleetwood

Sunday 18 June 2023 21:28 , Ben Fleming

Fleetwood -4 (12)

The Englishman catches a good break with a bounce from his iron approach into twelve but it sets up a good look at birdie. It slides by though and he remains at four under.

Are Johnson and English too far back?

Sunday 18 June 2023 21:22 , Ben Fleming

English (-6), Johnson (-5) - 22:08pm BST

With a little over an hour till the final pairing gets underway, let’s take a look at the contenders. The third final pair sees Harris English and Dustin Johnson together again. They are quite some distance back at six and five under respectively, but we’ve seen low scores on this front nine today so there’s plenty out there to suggest that either one could make a surge up the leaderboard.

Harris English, in particular, shot a two-under-par 33 on the front nine yesterday and will be after more of that today.

Yet another birdie for Fleetwood

Sunday 18 June 2023 21:15 , Ben Fleming

Fleetwood -4 (11)

Where was this all week, Tommy? A delightful tee shot into long par-three 11th leaves him with a cracking look at birdie and he takes full advantage. Up to four under par for the tournament now.

Back-to-back birdies for Rahm

Sunday 18 June 2023 21:09 , Ben Fleming

Rahm -2 (9)

The world number two makes the turn at two under for the tournament after another birdie at nine. Four under par for the day - very good.

Fleetwood into the top ten

Sunday 18 June 2023 20:54 , Ben Fleming

Fleetwood -3 (9)

The latest to produce a stellar outing on the front nine is Fleetwood who rolls in a ten-footer at the ninth to make the turn in 30. He’s now sitting in a tie for tenth as things stand.

Bogey for Smith

Sunday 18 June 2023 20:50 , Ben Fleming

Smith E (13)

England’s Jordan Smith is another who made light work of the front nine this morning. A front-nine 30 followed by a birdie on eleven had him in the red for the tournament.

But he drops back to level par after a bogey at the 13th. Still a great tournament in the making for the DP World Tour player who had only made the cut at two of his previous six major championships.

Fleetwood continues his charge

Sunday 18 June 2023 20:41 , Ben Fleming

Fleetwood -2 (8)

Eagle at six is followed by birdie on eight and Fleetwood moves further into the red and four under par for his front nine so far.

Rahm into the red

Sunday 18 June 2023 20:29 , Ben Fleming

Rahm -1 (6)

Jon Rahm will probably be the first to tell you that it’s been a frustrating week for him at LACC. Far too many mistakes have him well out of contention today but a nice birdie on the sixth - which now sees the pin on the right-hand side of the green - moves him into the red at one under for the tournament.

Fleetwood threatens the pin at seven

Sunday 18 June 2023 20:25 , Ben Fleming

Fleetwood -1 (7)

Right after the eagle on six, it’s a delicious tee shot into the seventh which almost hops in after a couple of bounces. It runs quite a way past the pin but it’s a well-judged two-putt to make par.

Eagle for Fleetwood

Sunday 18 June 2023 20:20 , Ben Fleming

Fleetwood -1 (6)

Tommy is one of the few people I’ve seen this week that has successfully driven the par-four sixth. He gets his just reward with an eagle and moves into the red for the tournament.

Front nine bearing fruits

Sunday 18 June 2023 20:14 , Ben Fleming

Eckroat -4 (8)

Yesterday it was Tom Kim, today it’s Austin Eckroat. The American is six under par through eight holes after an eagle on eight. It’s a cloudy morning in Los Angeles - much like the first day - so there are scores out there on the front nine.

Only time will tell what conditions will look like in a couple of hours when the leaders go out.

US Open LIVE: Rory McIlroy has arrived

Sunday 18 June 2023 20:07 , Luke Baker

Rory McIlroy in the house. He tees off 10.19pm BST and has arrived at LA Country Club.

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