Harman edges clear, Thomas dazzles in 117th US Open blitz FORGIVING CONDITIONS

ERIN — Brian Harman opened up a one-shot lead at the 117th US Open on Saturday in a dramatic third round lit up by a recordequalling 63 from Justin Thomas.

Torrential rain that doused the 7,818-yard layout at Erin Hills overnight presented the field with a feast of birdie chances, transforming the leaderboard into a sea of red as dusk fell.

Harman, who had begun the day in a four-way tie for the lead, carded a five-under-par 67 which included six birdies and one bogey.

The 30-year old from Georgia had never gone past the second round in a US Open before this year, missing the cut on his two previous visits in 2012 and 2015.

“We’re breaking down all kinds of barriers,” Harman quipped.

“I’m proud of the way I hung in there today. I got off to a pretty good start, which I really haven’t done yet, so that was nice.

“Struck it well, hit a bunch of greens, and that’s what you’ve got to do to play well around here.”

The world number 50 headed to the clubhouse on 12 under, one ahead of Thomas, Brooks Koepka and England’s Tommy Fleetwood.

The soft, forgiving conditions created opportunity for major movement up the leaderboard for those players willing to take it.

And the prime beneficiary was Thomas, who catapulted up the leaderboard with his recordbreaking nine-under-par 63.

The 24-year-old world number 13 produced a magnificent eagle three on the 600-yard 18th hole to crown a spellbinding display that was the lowest to par score in US Open history.

The previous lowest score in relation to par was the eightunder 63 shot by Johnny Miller in the final round of the 1973 Open.

Thomas was already on course for a share of the lead as he stepped up to the 18th having carded nine birdies against two bogeys in a spectacular round.

He then drilled a 300-yard second shot to around eight feet before rolling in his eagle putt to roars from the galleries.

“I feel comfortable. Being in contention in a major is new and I’m excited,” said Thomas.

“I hope the moment will come as soon as possible. I know I’m going to be nervous, I just need to harness that as best I can.”