BRYSON DECHAMBEAU brushed off hip issues to move three shots clear at the top of the US Open third round leaderboard on Saturday, setting up a potential mouth-watering showdown with world number three Rory McIlroy.

On another steamy afternoon at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina, Mr. DeChambeau recovered from an early bogey and troublesome hip that required treatment mid-round to return a three-under 67 to lead Frenchman Matthieu Pavon (69), Patrick Cantlay (70) and Mr. McIlroy (69) by three.

Sitting a further two back and five off the pace are Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama (70) and young Swede Ludvig Aberg (73), who had held a one shot lead after the second round.

Mr. DeChambeau will be partnered with Mr. Pavon for Sunday’s final round but it is Mr. McIlroy, paired with Mr. Cantlay, who he will share the spotlight with as the former US Open winners and two of golf’s most intriguing figures grapple for the trophy.

Mr. McIlroy, bidding to end a decade-long major drought, may be one of golf’s most popular figures but the big-hitting Mr. DeChambeau has evolved into one of the most entertaining and has enjoyed the backing of huge crowds at Pinehurst.

There will also be some golf politics and bragging rights at stake on Sunday with 2020 US Open winner Mr. DeChambeau now playing on the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour and Mr. McIlroy, long one of the most vocal critics of the renegade circuit.

It will mark the 10th time Mr. McIlroy has appeared in the top three going into the final round of a major while Mr. DeChambeau has played some of the best golf at the biggest events, finishing runner-up at last month’s PGA Championship. — Reuters

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