Adam Scott says winning the US Open would be an "exclamation point" in his career as he put himself in prime position to collect his second major championship title with a back-nine charge for the ages in the third round at Oakmont Country Club on Saturday.
The Australian went into the day on even-par overall, three behind overnight leader Sam Burns who sat on three-under-par entering the day's play.
But, having played his first dozen holes in level par, 2013 Masters champion, Scott, played the last six in three-under-par to get himself slap, bang in the middle of the action with a cracking round of 67 that leaves him one shot behind Burns going into Sunday's climax.
"It would be super fulfilling. Everyone out here has got their journey," Scott said.
"Putting ourselves in these positions doesn't just happen by fluke. It's not easy to do it.
"I really haven't been in this kind of position for five or six years, or feeling like I'm that player.
"But that's what I'm always working towards. It's not that easy to figure it all out.
"But if I were to come away with it tomorrow, it would be a hell of a round of golf and an exclamation point on my career.
"I'm playing good, so there's no reason not to. I'm playing from the fairway a lot.
"I've played fairly conservative, and I haven't really been forcing the issue much. Could be a different story tomorrow.
"A lot can happen in 18 holes out here. But I like what I've done so far."
His playing partner, Viktor Hovland, could scarcely have got his day off to a worst start with dropped shots on the first and third.
But the Norwegian rallied to eventually get it to one-under-par overall and leave himself in great order to challenge for a first major title after signing for a 70.
Whatever you do, however, don't dismiss Saturday's final group of Sam Burns and JJ Spaun. They enjoyed a tit-for-tat battle all afternoon and remain two of the men to catch heading into Sunday's final round.
Spaun got it around in 69 with Burns matching him with a 69 of his own to hold a one-shot lead from his playing partner and Scott on four-under-par.
It has been another major tournament to forget for Rory McIlroy who seems to be searching for meaning since conquering his Everest at Augusta in April.
In short, the Holywood man can't wait to see the back of Oakmont Country Club.
Asked, after his third-round 74, what his expectations were for Sunday's final round, he said: "Hopefully a round in under four and a half hours and get out of here."
