Jordan Spieth broke clear into a solo lead in the third round of the US Open on Saturday.

The Masters champion started the day as joint leader with fellow young Texan Patrick Reed at five under, but he distanced himself with two huge putts at the second and third.

Reed, meanwhile had a double bogey at the second to fall four back.

From The Weekender

The language of play: What children say without words

Play therapy helps children process emotions that adults often miss.

Read on The Weekender

South African Branden Grace took second place at five under with a birdie at the fifth before Spieth's putting display wobbled with a three-putt at the fourth for bogey.

Dustin Johnson was in third at four under after a birdie at the fifth.

World number one Rory McIlroy was among the first on the day to have a go at climbing up the leaderboard to get to Spieth and Reed.

But he missed a succession of short putts on the bumpy fescue grass greens that have drawn fierce criticism from most of the players all week.

The 26-year-old Northern Irishman had two early birdies to get to two over.

But he could not improve on that and he came in with a par-70 that left him where he started the day, his hopes of a fifth major title badly dented. (dmr)

Popular

Malaysia set to revive cross-strait bridge project with feasibility study in 2026

Challenges of home learning during a pandemic through the eyes of a student

Another year lost in the energy transition