Mickelson stars in US Open's final-round drama

Leader Phil Mickelson goes for his first US Open title after a record five runner-up showings while a host of rivals try to deny him a triumph on his 43rd birthday in today’s final round.

The American left-hander set up a dramatic Father’s Day finish to the year’s second major championship with a level-par 70 third round to top the scoreboard at one-under par 209 for 54 holes over Merion’s challenging 6,996-yard layout.

Three-time Masters champion Mickelson could complete three-quarters of a career Grand Slam with a victory, having also won the 2005 PGA Championship, and ease the sting of US Open second places in 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2009.

“I’ve had opportunities in years past, and it has been fun even though it has been heartbreaking to come so close a number of times and let it slide,” Mickelson said.

“But I feel better equipped that I have ever felt heading into the final round of a US Open.”

The par-4 18th hole is likely to produce thrills and could decide a winner. At 4.71 strokes on average for the first three rounds, the 521-yard hole is the toughest of the week and tougher than some US PGA Tour par-5 holes.

Some early starters were finding a scoring touch, including American Shawn Stefani, who made a hole-in-one at the par-3 17th, and Scotsman Martin Laird, who was three-under on the front nine.

Adding to the tension is a 50 percent chance of rain in the final hours of the fourth round, making for tricky winds on an already intimidating course.

If two or more players share the lead after 72 holes, an 18-hole playoff on Monday will determine a winner.

In a week that saw Mickelson skip two days of practice at Merion so he could fly across the nation and back for daughter Amanda’s middle-school graduation, the fan favorite would ignite a huge roar of cheers with a wire-to-wire win.

But American Hunter Mahan, his friend and last-group playing partner, is only one stroke off the pace.

Also on level par through three rounds were South African Charl Schwartzel, the 2011 Masters winner, and Steve Stricker, an American who at 46 would become the oldest US Open champion by taking his first major title.

Luke Donald and Justin Rose, each seeking a first major title, open two adrift of Mickelson. Either could become the first Englishman to win the US Open since Tony Jacklin 43 years ago and the first to win a major since Nick Faldo at the 1996 Masters.

American Billy Horschel is also at 211 with Australian Jason Day at 212 and American Rickie Fowler on 213.

South Korean-born US amateur Michael Kim was on 214, trying to become the first amateur to win a major since John Goodman took the 1933 US Open.

World number one Tiger Woods, 10 strokes off the pace after 54 holes, began with a birdie but followed with a triple-bogey 8 at the second after blasting his tee shot out of bounds.

Woods opened with a birdie on Saturday only to stumble home with a 76 to fall out of contention.

The 14-time major champion, chasing the all-time record 18 majors won by Jack Nicklaus, has endured another frustrating week as his drought since last winning a major at the 2008 US Open stretched to five years.

Second-ranked Rory McIlroy, who opened with a pair, said a solid round might enable him to have a top-10 finish as he looks ahead to July’s British Open at Muirfield and a title defense at the PGA Championship in August at Oak Hill.