Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland signs autographs during a practice round prior to the 2017 U.S. Open at Erin Hills on June 13, 2017 in Hartford, Wisconsin. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Dustin Johnson of the United States stands on the green during a practice round prior to the 2017 U.S. Open at Erin Hills on June 14, 2017 in Hartford, Wisconsin. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Thomas Pieters of Belgium plays his shot from the bunker during a practice round prior to the 2017 U.S. Open at Erin Hills on June 14, 2017 in Hartford, Wisconsin. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Rory McIlroy smiles while talking with Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa during a practice round prior to the 2017 US Open at Erin Hills.

Graeme McDowell reacts to a shot from the now infamous fescue at Erin Hills.

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland reacts after finishing on the 18th green during the first round of the 2017 U.S. Open at Erin Hills on June 15, 2017 in Hartford, Wisconsin. (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

Rickie Fowler of the United States reacts after finishing his seven under par opening round at the U.S. Open at Erin Hills.

Rory McIlroy tees off at the 12th, his third hole, during his second round at the US Open.

G Mac wasn't the only one struggling with the thick rough as Rory McIlroy digests his situation on the seventh hole during his opening round.

Tommy Fleetwood of England reacts after making par on the sixth green during the third round of the 2017 U.S. Open at Erin Hills on June 17, 2017 in Hartford, Wisconsin. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Tommy Fleetwood stays focused going into the final

Tommy Fleetwood will try to block out thoughts of the "life-changing" effect of becoming the second English winner in five years in Sunday's final round of the US Open.

Fleetwood carded a third round of 68 at Erin Hills to finish alongside Brooks Koepka and Justin Thomas on 11 under par, a shot behind surprise leader Brian Harman.

Harman, who is playing his first major since missing the cut in all four in 2015, fired six birdies and one bogey in a 67 to claim pole position in his bid to become the first left-handed winner of the US Open.

Fleetwood had been tied for the lead after birdies on the first, eighth, 12th, 14th and 15th, only to bogey the last after following up a poor pitch by putting his birdie attempt off the green.

"It was a good bogey though," joked Fleetwood, who regained his composure to hit a superb pitch from well below the putting surface. "That fifth shot on the 18th was the best shot all day.

"It was a really good round of golf and you don't realise until you start talking about it that I hardly missed a shot all day."

Asked about the prospects of emulating 2013 champion Justin Rose, the 26-year-old from Southport added: "It will change my life. I know that.

"I have pictured winning the US Open a lot of times before. Doing it all night is not going to help and not make any difference. It's just a question of concentrating on each day as it comes.

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Belfast Telegraph