Justin Rose in sight of second major as he closes in on Gary Woodland to set up US Open final round 

A second US Open title has come tantalisingly into vision for Justin Rose after another drama-filled round on the Monterey Peninsula. With a birdie on the last, the Englishman moved to within one shot of leader Gary Woodland and set up an irresistible Sunday shootout. 

Thanks to that nerveless 11-footer, Rose reduced the deficit to the lowest it had been all day. Woodland threatened to run away with it early on when claiming a four-shot advantage having gone through the first six in two-under.  

But despite watching his playing partner make two outrageous par saves on the back nine, Rose continued his remarkable week on and around the greens, reeling off four birdies on his last 11 holes to shoot a 68 and reach 10-under.

“Today wasn’t perfect and my shortgame did keep me in it,” Rose said. “But I hit enough clutch shots and good shots to feel good going into tomorrow.” 

Rose took only 23 putts, meaning that he has single-putted 35 times in the first 54 holes - a truly astonishing stat. If he is correct and his ball-striking is improving then he has to be the favourite to follow up on his 2013 triumph. Saying that, the  38-year-old does recognise that Woodland will be “a tough nut to crack”.