BBC SPORT | Special Events | 2001 | US Open

Retief Goosen continued to make the running in the third round of the US Open.

The South African ended on the top of the leaderboard on five-under par, alongside Stewart Cink - and ahead of some of the game's most illustrious names.

With Tiger Woods' title hopes now hanging by a thread, Goosen produced the kind of solid pressure golf that could bring him a first Major triumph.

A scrambled par at the 11th, where he was in deep trouble in the rough behind the green, was testament to his rock-steady composure.

Retief Goosen in action during the third round
Goosen remains in contention for the title
He was joined at five-under by American Cink, who recovered from a terrible start to his round - which saw three shots dropped in the opening two holes.

A series of birdies on the back nine, culminating in a three at the 15th, brought Cink into contention.

The lone European challenger is Spain's Sergio Garcia, who moved into joint second place - a shot behind Goosen - along with Rocco Mediate and Mark Brooks.

Phil Mickelson, who ended the day three under, was the first big name to make a charge in the third round.

The left-hander, celebrating his 31st birthday, picked up three shots in the outward nine to move to the top of the leaderboard.

Phil Mickelson eyes up a putt during his third round
Phil Mickelson has been in fine putting form
He produced blistering putting form for birdies at the first, third and fifth holes to briefly grab a share of the lead on four-under.

But the start of the back nine saw Mickelson's game become alarmingly unpredictable as his round began to develop rollercoaster qualities.

He dropped a shot at the 10th to fall behind Goosen and then missed a glorious chance at the 13th, where he had an eagle chance but ended up three-putting for par.

Birdies at 14 and 17 were tempered by a dropped shot at 15 - but the world number two remains one of the main threats to Woods' crown.

Defending champion Woods struggled to get his round going and finished with a 69 for a 54-hole total of four-over par 214.

The 25-year-old mixed some sensational approach shots with some very ordinary ones and is struggling in his defence of the title.

At four-over par he remains nine shots off the lead - with surely too much ground to make up for even a player of his unique talents.

Tiger Woods at the US Open
An unusually hard day at the office for Woods
Colin Montgomerie, Britain's highest placed player at the start of the day, saw his title hopes disappear in sorry fashion on day three.

The Scot, bidding for his first Major triumph, was handily placed at one-over at the start.

But he double bogeyed the second and continued to drop shots, slumping back to seven-over after 16 holes.

Nick Faldo, one of the earliest starters, also paid the price for a terrible opening to his round.

After dropping four shots in as many holes, the six-time Major champion rallied for a 74 which took him to 10-over.

Darren Clarke finished the third day on six-over par after a round of 71.