Louis Oosthuizen of South Africa plays his shot from the 18th tee during the third round of the 2021 US Open on Saturday in San Diego, California. Photo: VCG

 
South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen closed with a stunning 52-foot eagle putt to grab a share of the lead with Canada's Mackenzie Hughes and American Russell Henley after Saturday's dramatic third round of the US Open.

Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open champion, fired a one-under-par 70 to stand on five-under 208 after 54 holes at Torrey Pines with Hughes, who fired a 68, and Henley, who saved par from a bunker at 18 to shoot 71.

Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy and defending champion Bryson DeChambeau shared fourth on 210, charging into contention to set the stage for an intense final round.

"There are a lot of great players up there that have a chance of winning this," Oosthuizen said. "I just need to go out and play as good as I can.

"You're going to have nerves. You're going to feel it. It's just about how you handle it."

After sinking a 30-foot birdie putt at the par-three 16th, Oosthuizen - who has five major runner-up finishes since his win 11 years ago at St. Andrews - made his incredible closer at the par-five 18th.

"I was talking too it to slow down a little bit," Oosthuizen said. 

"It was a good line and good speed."

On a day of electric shotmaking, Hughes sank a 63-foot eagle putt at the par-five 13th and blasted out of a bunker to five feet to set up a birdie at 18.

Hughes, who missed the cut in his past five PGA events and six of his eight prior major starts, won his only US PGA title in 2016 at Sea Island.

"I know I'm going to be nervous tomorrow," Hughes said. "I'm going to try and enjoy it lots and embrace the moment."

A crowd limited to about 8,000 people by COVID-19 safety measures roared when Hughes knocked in his eagle.

"I loved it," he said. "The charge when it goes in the hole and the crowd erupts is why we play. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it."

Journeyman Henley blasted in a 22-yard bunker shot for birdie at the par-three 11th and saved par from a bunker at 18 to share the lead.

"Tied for the lead going into the last day of a major, you never know," Henley said. 

"I'm excited. You always wonder what it would feel like to be in contention."

World No.11 McIlroy, who hasn't won a major title since the 2014 PGA Championship, shot 67.

McIlroy birdied three of the first four holes on the back nine, including a spectacular 32-yard chip-in birdie at the 12th.

He salvaged bogey after finding an oceanside canyon off the tee at 15, saved par from a bunker at 16 at seven feet at 17 and tapped in for a closing birdie.

"It's one of the best rounds of golf I've played in a while," McIlroy said.

McIlroy snapped an 18-month win drought last month on Mother's Day and could end his major win drought on his first Father's Day since the birth of first child Poppy last year.

"I'm just excited for the ­opportunity to have a chance and be in one of the final groups," McIlroy said.

DeChambeau shot 68 in the first bogey-free major round of his ­career, sinking seven-foot birdie putts at the first and sixth and an eight-footer at the par-five 13th.

"It's great. It means my game is in a pretty decent spot," DeChambeau said. 

"I stepped up and felt really comfortable out there... I gave myself a great chance tomorrow."