US Open Golf: Fowler back in the thick of action

Rickie Fowler, who slipped out of the US Open lead after making three bogeys in a row late in the second round, put himself back in the thick of the chase with a run of three birdies on Saturday at the US Open.

Fowler birdied the 14th, 15th and 16th holes to lift himself to 10 under par, two strokes off the pace at a generous ErinHills layout that has been softened by rain.

"It was a great day," said Fowler, who is still gunning for his first major title.

"Hit a lot of good shots. Felt like I had a good feel for the speed of the greens today, hit a lot of good lag putts. We're definitely in good position for tomorrow."

Fowler said he knew low scores would be attainable but was impressed by the US Open record-setting round of nine-under carded by Justin Thomas, his friend and room mate this week.

"I'm looking forward to hearing about that when I get back to the house since JT and I are staying together," said Fowler.

"But that was cool to see. Definitely inspiring in a way to see him get off to a good start and kind of motivating to want to get myself to go out and play well.

"And to see him get the eagle at the last, pretty cool, a special round for him."

Thomas, the 29th player to shoot a 63 in a major, finished the day on 11-under-par 205 to trail leader Brian Harman by one stroke heading into Sunday's final round.

Image: Rickie Fowler of the United States lines up a putt on the 17th green during the third round of the 2017 US Open at Erin Hills in Hartford, Wisconsin, on Saturday

Photographer: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images