Gary Woodland's quest for a first major continued, while Tiger Woods's bid for a 16th faded, at the US Open on Saturday.

Gary Woodland of the US lines up a putt during the third round of the 2019 US Open at Pebble Beach, California, June 15, 2019. (Photo: VCG)

Woods, nine back to start the day, frittered away his chance of winning the US Open even if he battled back well to shoot an eventful five birdie, five bogey, even-par 71 at Pebble Beach.

Woods posted an even-par 213 total that was likely to leave him too far back with one round left at the scene of the most brilliant of his 15 major victories, a 15-shot triumph in 2000.

After finishing his second round with two straight bogeys, Woods dropped shots at two of his first three holes on Saturday. 

"I got off to a crap start .... and those are the easier holes," he said, speaking as the leaders were still out on the course.

"And I had to try to fight back and claw out a round today, which I was able to do," he added.

The 43-year-old, who underwent a spinal fusion two years ago, played down the presence of medical tape on the back of his neck on Saturday. 

Meanwhile, runner-up at US Open a record six times and needing a victory to complete the career grand slam, Phil Mickelson will not get it done this year after signing for four-over 75 to leave him at three-over going into Sunday’s final round. 

Two-time defending champion Brooks Koepka, bidding to become the first player in over a century to sweep three US Opens, needed a few holes to get in gear before collecting back-to-back birdies at six and seven and another at the 10th to zoom into the thick of the hunt.