Two weeks after his sister Minjee Lee won the US Women's Open at Pine Needles, Min Woo Lee emerged as the leading Australian at the men's edition in Massachusetts.
However, the 24-year-old has little hope of pulling off a unique family double after a fine third-round of 1-under-par 69 left Lee on 2-over, six shots off the pace.
On a day where most players went backwards at Brookline, Min Woo Lee was one of just seven players to finish under par for the third round.
The Perth star took another big stride towards confirming himself as Australia's next big thing in men's golf with a steely display in typically tough US Open conditions.
Sharing 17th spot on his US Open debut, Lee will enter Sunday's final round with a shot of bettering his tie for 14th at his maiden Masters in April.
The best round of the day came from Will Zalatoris, who shot a 3-under 67.
Zalatoris picked up three birdies and a bogey on the front nine, then held steady on the way home, adding another birdie on the par-4 15th to finish the day on 4-under.
Also on 4-under was England's Matt Fitzpatrick, who had a 2-under 68.
Spanish star Jon Rahm looked set to take the lead heading into the final round, but he ran into trouble on the par-4 18th.
After landing in a bunker on the left side of the fairway, Rahm's next shot hit the lip of the bunker and came back, requiring another iron shot to get clear.
He finished with a double-bogey six on the final hole, for a round of 1-over 71, to sit one shot back from the leaders on 3-under.
The course was playing tough — overnight joint leaders Collin Morikawa and fellow American Joel Dahmen both fell away in the third round.
Morikawa had a horror day, with a 7-over 77, while Dahmen shot a 4-over 74 to be three shots from the lead.
World number one Scottie Scheffler shot to the outright lead at 6-under for the championship midway through his third round, before losing five shots in four holes on the back nine to finish at 2-under.
Veterans Adam Scott and Marc Leishman are the next best Australians after Min Woo Lee, sitting in a tie for 45th at 4-over.
Scott carded a 2-over 74, with Leishman posting a 75.
After a golden start to his round, Todd Sinnott finished at 6-over following a 76.
The qualifier opened with two birdies in the first five holes to claw his way back to level with the card, but racked up three bogeys and a double on the back nine.
AAP/ABC
