Johnson snares US Open lead

Graeme McDowell saw Dustin Johnson snatch the US Open lead from his grasp on Saturday night as Tiger Woods entered the championship fray.

Northern Ireland's McDowell was a two-shot leader at the start of the day and was four shots ahead after two holes before Johnson, twice a winner at Pebble Beach in February on the PGA Tour, made his local knowledge count.

The American's five-under-par 66 gave him the 54-hole lead at six under, three shots better than McDowell, who posted a level-par 71 and was not overly disappointed. "I'd rather be three shots in front, of course," McDowell said. "But I shot 71 not being in control of my game and I've got to be pretty happy with that.

"It's going to be a fun day tomorrow (Sunday)."

Five behind Johnson, Woods showed a glimpse of a return to form as he posted a 66 on the course where he won by a majors' record 15 strokes at the 2000 US Open and Gregory Havret of France booked a tee time with the world number one in Sunday's penultimate group after a 69 got him to level par.

Two-time winner Ernie Els is also level after a 72 with Masters champion Phil Mickelson a shot behind the South African after a rollercoaster 73, two shots ahead of Tim Clark, Alex Cejka and Ryo Ishikawa.

Mickelson had wowed Pebble Beach with his second-round 66 and on Saturday it was Woods' turn.

Starting seven strokes behind McDowell, he had been searching for lost form following an on-course struggle of late that was pre-empted by turmoil in his private life.

After carding three birdies and three bogeys on his front nine, Woods' struggles seemed to be continuing but he changed gears, delivering five birdies on the supposedly more difficult back nine to come home in 31, closing birdie, birdie, birdie.

England's Paul Casey, a first-round co-leader, posted a 77 to drop to six over, while Ian Poulter also hit 77 to fall to seven over in a tie for 23rd with, amongst others, Ryder Cup team-mates Padraig Harrington (74) and Luke Donald (74).