LOS ANGELES — Rickie Fowler is 18 holes from his first major championship.
But he felt a lot better about where he stood entering Saturday’s final hole than when he finished the round.
Fowler had a two shot lead over Wyndham Clark and Rory McIlroy with one hole remaining. But after Clark birdied No. 18, Fowler missed a five-footer for par.
Now, Fowler (70) and Clark (69) are tied at 10 under with 18 holes to play in the U.S. Open.
“I’m not sure why it didn’t move,” Fowler said. “I hit a good putt, so really can’t go back on it. Just a bummer. It would be nice for that one to go in. Really doesn’t matter, having the lead, being one back, two back. You’re going to have to play good golf (Sunday).
“Sunday is when the tournament really starts.”
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McIlroy shot a 69 and will be paired with Scottie Scheffler, who carded a 68 after finishing eagle, birdie.
Fowler start the day with a one shot lead. His 130 equaling the lowest total score through 36 holes in U.S. Open history.
But Clark was just one shot behind, his 131 equaling the second-lowest 36 hole score in the championship’s history.
Clark never has finished higher than 75th in a major.
From 69 feet away
@RickieFowler rolls in a lengthy birdie at No. 13. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/75FCIgUNjf
— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 18, 2023
“Everyone is really pulling for Rickie so I’m the underdog here,” said Clark, who said he and Fowler are close friends.
Clark caught Fowler on the second hole, passed him on the third hole and took a two shot lead two holes later.
“Had to accept some bogeys there in the round early on,” said Fowler, who had three bogeys and three birdies. “But I feel like we did a good job of kind of staying present, moving forward.”
Fowler regained the lead on No. 12 and stretched it to two shots when Clark bogeyed No. 17.
“This is the best I’ve felt, let alone in a normal tournament but especially a major, I would say really ever in my career,” Fowler said. “Through three rounds we’re in the spot that we want to be in.”