• US Open, Round Three, What They Said

What They Said

Luke Donald: "I just haven't played consistently enough." © Getty Images

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ESPN will be providing live commentary during all four days of the US Open from Congressional CC - along with all the news, views and opinion

Leader Rory McIlroy said: "I know now how to approach tomorrow. At Augusta it was all a bit new to me. I didn't know whether to be defensive or aggressive. I have a clear mind now and just need to stick to my game plan.

"It would mean a lot to me. Even though it's been a short career I feel I've had enough experiences and feel the time is right to go ahead and win my first major."

Lee Westwood, who fired a brilliant 65, said: "It was a round I needed to shoot. I put myself behind on Thursday when I played poorly. I played well yesterday to make the cut and played lovely today once I got going. I caught fire round the back nine, hit it close a couple of times and made some putts. I am still not fully happy with my irons, but I am driving the ball great. I am better now than when I shot 75 on Thursday. I was looking for flight times for Friday night then but you can gft into contention with a run of holes."

Jason Day surged into contention at five-under and he said: "I knew I had to come out and do something. I saw some guys scoring well early, so I knew it was out there and I went out and played some good shots. I drove it well and hit some good shots into the greens. I fell asleep in the middle of my round but my putting saved me. I now know I can play in front of a big crowd against the best players in the world. This is different to the Masters and taking birdies when you can, so I am looking forward to tomorrow."

Fredrik Jacobson will be one of the late starters on Sunday after his 66. He said: "The first day I only hit two fairways, then I was not striking then ball too good I started to find it yesterday and had been putting well all week. I continued to roll the ball well today. It is exciting to be up there, but just playing good golf is exciting. If you find the middle of the club and put the ball in the fairway it gives you the chance to do something."

Graeme McDowell hit a 69 but is not happy with his putting as he said: "The putter isn't going good," he said. "They don't seem to break the way you see them. I'm going to have a chance to have a good finish tomorrow, and I've got to concentrate the foremost on that."

Phil Mickelson, who slumped to a 77, said: "I three-putted the par 3, 13th hole, and that was a big disappointment. I was even for the day. I wasn't doing too bad. I gave it a good birdie chance, it went just by the lip about six, seven feet by, and I missed it. That took a lot of momentum out of me."

Bubba Watson failed to get anything going and was honest in his assessment as he said:"I just can't get anything going this week.I'm just not that good. Simple as that. This is not the week for me, I'm struggling."

Luke Donald, who dropped down to seven-over, said: "I just haven't played consistently enough, whether the first few days I didn't hit enough fairways. I had a bad start. Just not quite sharp enough, and you pay the price for it at the US Open."

Webb Simpson, who surged up the leaderboard with a 66, said: "My ball striking was a lot better. I really struggled the first two days. It was a struggle to make the cut, but it has been that kind of a year for me as I have had to figure it out going along and get in a groove. I was pleased to make the cut and did not know what to expect, but knew once in the weekend you could attack and have a bit of fun. I'm thrilled to death and looking forward to tomorrow."

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