A third round of four-under-par 67 has propelled Rory McIlroy into contention at the US Open.

The 2011 champion - who is seeking a first major since 2014 - is at three-under ahead of the final day at Torrey Pines.

There's a three-way tie for the lead at the top, with Mackenzie Hughes, Louis Oosthuizen and Russell Henley all at five-under-par.

Four back-nine birdies helped the Down native move into a tie for fourth, and into a great position going into Sunday.

"It's definitely the best that I've played this week," McIlroy said post-round.

"I felt like I played well on Thursday, and 70 felt like the worst I could have shot."

"It was a little scrappy yesterday, but then today [Saturday] I hit a lot of fairways starting out, hit a lot of greens and gave myself a lot of birdie chances.

"I didn't actually make that many, but I just stayed really patient knowing that, if you're not making bogeys out there, you're not losing ground."

Undoubtedly the highlight of McIlroy's 67 shots was a deft flop from just off the green at the 12th, which ended up rolling in for a birdie.

Bring on the RORS❗@McIlroyRory is just three back. #USOpen pic.twitter.com/mwh5wXN0ae

— U.S. Open (USGA) (@usopengolf) June 19, 2021

"I stayed patient, was rewarded with a little bit of a fortunate birdie on 10 and then a really fortunate birdie on 12 with a chip-in," he said.

"But I just played a really solid round of golf. There was really only one loose shot out there, which was the drive on 15, but apart from that, it's one of the best rounds of golf I've played in a while."

Just three players lie in front of McIlroy on the leaderboard, and he is well-placed to end his major drought.

However, he is keen to focus on producing a good round, as opposed to what a good score might lead to.

"I thought something like two 68s over the weekend from where I was after Friday was going to have a good chance.

"I've done the first part of that job. Now it's up to me tomorrow to go out and try to play a similar round of golf."

Shane Lowry will tee off from five-over-par after a one-over 72 on Saturday.

Elsewhere, Leona Maguire is also in contention heading into the final round at the Meijer LPGA Classic.

The Cavan native is in second at 17-under-par - three off the leader Nelly Korda.

Maguire is due to tee off alongside Korda in the final group shortly after 4pm Irish time on Sunday.