Unheralded Johnson takes 3-shot US Open lead, Woods in reach

By Ben James Jun 20, 2010, 4:54 GMT

Pebble Beach, California - Unheralded American Dustin Johnson took control of the US Open Saturday to take a three-shot lead going into the final round.

The big-hitting Johnson, ranked 29th but with little experience at the head of the field in a Major, carded a brilliant 5-under-par 66 to finish the day at 6-under, three shots clear of overnight leader Graeme McDowell.

But world No 1 Tiger Woods is lurking just two shots further back after an equally superb 66 of his own.

Johnson eagled the fourth hole and despite two bogeys, surged clear thanks to five birdies, including on both of last two holes to set a hot pace at the top.

The 25-year-old American's birdie at the par-five 18th gave him a three-shot cushion, but he will be looking over his shoulder at the chasing pack, especially Woods.

'This is what I live for, this is what I practice for, to win the US Open,' said Johnson, who has won the last two AT&T Pro-Am tournaments also held at Pebble Beach.

While McDowell's even-par 71 kept him in contention at 3-under, most of the fireworks were coming ahead of him as Woods recovered from two early bogeys which had dropped him back to 6-over.

Woods picked up three straight birdies from the fourth hole, and after bogeying the eighth, tore up the back nine with five birdies, including three at the last three holes.

'I played myself back into the tournament. I was trying to get back to even par and I went one better,' Woods said.

'It's a US Open, I made a couple of key saves for par on eight and nine and you've just got to hang in there and I did that.'

Two-time champion Ernie Els is just one shot further back at even par, alongside Frenchman Gregory Havret, while US Masters champion Phil Mickelson is one shot behind them at 1-over-par.

A birdie at the 16th hole put Mickelson within two of Woods after his round had threatened to get away with him thanks to a double-bogey four at the ninth hole.

The English challenge faded badly, with Paul Casey finishing on 6-over-par after a 77, while Luke Donald (74) and Ian Poulter (77) were one shot further back.

Englishman Lee Westwood dropped out of contention at 8-over for the tournament after he struggled to a 5-over-par 76.