Exclusive: Rory McIlroy sends brutal warning to Bryson DeChambeau ahead of final day US Open battle

Bryson DeChambeau leads the U.S. Open after tallying six birdies in a dramatic third round, but Rory McIlroy is in the hunt as he targets a first major win in a decade

A pair of late bogeys opened up Bryson DeChambeau’s lead over Rory McIlroy ahead of Sunday

Rory McIlroy is firmly in the race to win the U.S. Open and capture the fifth major title that has so far eluded the Northern Irishman.

McIlroy, who won the U.S. Open at Congressional Country Club back in 2011, navigated the treacherously difficult Pinehurst No. 2 to card a two-under 68. It was one of the better scores on Saturday as conditions, described by Shane Lowry as ‘torture’, kept scores high.

Following a bogey on the par-three sixth, McIlroy rattled off three birdies in his next eight holes before his tee shot at 15 found the bunker. He couldn’t get up and down smoothly, dropping another shot before doing the same on the 17th.

The run took the gloss off an otherwise encouraging performance from McIlroy. Bryson DeChambeau owns the clubhouse lead heading into the final day, with the LIV Golf star looking to win his second major title after enjoying a sensational performance. The American has been in fine form at the majors this year, and agonisingly missed out on the chance to add another title at Valhalla last month when Xander Schauffele held his nerve to snatch victory by a single shot.

The American appeared to injure his right hip only to rattle off successive birdies as he caught fire down the back nine. McIlroy, meanwhile, will fight to the end.

“It was difficult, but overall I felt like I gave a really good account of myself,” McIlroy said following the conclusion of his third round. “I played really well, most of my game was firing… with a couple of loose iron shots towards the end of the round.

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Bryson DeChambeau won the U.S. Open in 2020
Bryson DeChambeau won the U.S. Open in 2020 ( Image: Getty Images)
“Overall, I would have taken one-under-par on the first tee today. It’s a grind. The US Open feels like you play two golf tournaments in one week. I’m going to try to recover as good as I can tonight and get ready for one more day of grinding tomorrow.”

He added: “I love the test that Pinehurst is presenting, and you’ve got to focus and concentrate on every single shot out there. It’s what a U.S. Open should be like. It’s obviously great to be in the mix.”

When he began his U.S. Open quest on Thursday, McIlroy would have certainly envisioned being within range of the leader if he wasn’t atop the leaderboard himself with 18 to play. He is just three shots behind DeChambeau, who fist-pumped his way to a joint-U.S. Open record six birdies in a single round.

McIlroy is level with Ryder Cup nemesis Patrick Cantlay and French ace Matthieu Pavon. Hideki Matsuyama and DeChambeau’s playing partner Ludvig Aberg are two-under.