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 US PGA Championship in 2012 and the Open and US PGA 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.
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.
😮😮😮@McIlroyRory | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/Ewfn8Veufa — U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 19, 2021
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.
Clubhouse leader, Rory McIlroy ✍️#USOpen | @Workday pic.twitter.com/2LAIUv9fD7 — The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) June 19, 2021
"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 stoke 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.
Previous six #USOpen rounds: +12Today: -4 The low round of the day belongs to @Paul_Casey. pic.twitter.com/C7RwYiz8ne — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 19, 2021
"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.
