"Anyone who's within 10 shots is in with a shot to win," he said.

"This is the US Open. It can be done.

"I hit a lot of good shots on Saturday. It could have been a really good round. I could have been four or five shots lower."

"I putted beautifully, but they just didn't drop," said Woods, who goes into the final day four over par.

"A lot grazed the edge. If I play the same on Sunday and the putts drop..."

But Garcia was doubtful.

"I'll say as good as he is, he can have a great round and probably finish in the top five," he said.

"If he wins this tournament, he'll be my idol."

Woods started the tournament as the overwhelming favourite to capture a record fifth Major championship.

But to do so, he will have to post the biggest final-round comeback in the tournament's history.

The previous biggest 54-hole deficit overcome by a US Open Champion was the seven strokes made up by Arnold Palmer in 1960.

"This week I haven't really had the breaks go my way, and that's just the way it is," said Woods.

"I just need to make a run and get myself back up on that board."

Phil Mickelson said his succession of near-misses at Majors could end on Sunday.

"With my on-going saga to win my first Major, the crowds are behind me," he said.

"But what I've learned from the past is that I can't fix bad shots out there.

"I will just be patient, makes some pars and some birdies and wait for other people to make their mistakes.

"I just have to continue to hit good shots.

Close to the lead

"I've played really good this year, but haven't been able to close it out on the Sunday."

He said even par 70 would be a good score for any of those close to the lead.

"I don't think there are any more birdie pins left out there.

"Sunday is going to be very difficult with where they put the pins. It will be very hard to go low.

"I think it will be a shootout, but it will be a shootout with pars not birdies.

"I'm not going to say what it would feel like to win because it hasn't happened yet, but I'm looking forward to the round and seeing what is going to happen."