McIlroy 'playing smart' as he targets end of major drought

To win. McIlroy will have to contend with a lot of star power on a Los Angeles Country Club course that has gotten gradually trickier each day.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 17: Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland plays his shot from the 13th tee during the third round of the 123rd U.S. Open Championship at The Los Angeles Country Club on June 17, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

There wasn’t a lot of moving on “moving day” at the U.S. Open. Saturday was more like a jockeying for position to set the lineup for Sunday’s dramatic conclusion.

Rory McIlroy shot 1-under 69 to hold his spot in third place at 9-under par, chasing co-leaders Rickie Fowler and Wyndham Clark a shot ahead of him on 10-under. Clark birdied 18 while Fowler bogeyed to prevent a marquee McIlroy-Fowler final pairing on Sunday.