Tiger Woods stormed into contention at the U.S. Open with a sizzling back nine on Saturday that put him five shots behind fellow-American Dustin Johnson with one round to go at Pebble Beach.
Johnson, who eagled the par-four fourth hole and nearly aced the par-three seventh, claimed a three-shot lead over Britain's Graeme McDowell with birdies on the last two holes for a 66 that matched Woods' brilliant round.
The big-hitting Johnson, winner of the last two U.S. PGA Tour stops at Pebble Beach, was six-under-par 207 through 54 holes at the famed Pacific coast course.
"I love playing here," Johnson, 25, told reporters.
"Today was a good day. I hit the ball well and made a few putts coming down the stretch," he added.
But it was Woods who electrified the Pebble Beach crowd with a charge reminiscent of his dominant days, fist-pumping after birdies and manufacturing a spectacular shot at the last hole to finish with three successive birdies.
Woods, who began the day tied for 25th and seven strokes off the pace, overcame two early bogeys to make the turn at level par before a scorching back nine of five-under 31 catapulted him into third place on one-under 212 and back into contention for his 15th major title.
After he curled in a 15-foot birdie putt at the par-three 17th, Woods found himself in a jam at the 18th when his tee shot put him behind a tree on the right side of the fairway.
The world number one faded a three-wood around the tree, sending it toward the ocean before bending it onto the green where he two-putted for birdie.
"I just kept telling myself get back to even par for the tournament and I'll be right there," Woods said.
"I just happened to do one better. It felt good to put it together," he added.
Woods' score over the back nine was more than eight strokes on average better than the rest of the field.
PEBBLE BEACH LOVER
Johnson lived up to his reputation as a lover of Pebble Beach by leapfrogging McDowell at the close with two birdies while the Briton bogeyed the 16th and 17th holes.
"I wasn't quite expecting Dustin to do what he did, but he played magnificent," said McDowell.
"He was awesome. He really just stood up and had no fear, hit the shots, and hit all the shots," he added.
Johnson began the day two shots behind McDowell and quickly found himself four back after the Northern Irishman birdied the first two holes in breezy, late afternoon conditions.
After a bogey by McDowell, Johnson made up two more strokes on the 290-yard, par-four fourth, which had been shortened by 40 paces to give players the option of trying to drive the green.
Johnson cashed in, hitting an iron within five feet of the cup and sinking the short eagle putt.
He followed with a birdie at the par-five sixth hole and nearly aced the 99-yard par-three seventh, spinning the ball back within inches of the cup for a tap-in birdie.
The see-saw duel continued until a two-shot swing at 17 where McDowell bogeyed and Johnson birdied to seize the lead.
Tied for fourth on level-par 213 were two-time U.S. Open winner Ernie Els of South Africa (72) and unheralded Frenchman Gregory Havret (69).
Masters champion Phil Mickelson struggled to a 73 for one-over 214, and 18-year-old Ryo Ishikawa of Japan returned a 75 for 216.
"I fought hard today," said Mickelson, whose three birdies were undone by three bogeys and a double-bogey.
Johnson, who Woods described as "stupid long" after practicing with him on Monday, turns 26 next Tuesday and would love to celebrate with the trophy.
"You couldn't ask for a better present. This is what I live for. This is what I practice for every day," he said.
"This is what we play golf for, to have a chance to win the U.S. Open," he added.
