[8] In the third round on Saturday morning, he carded an even-par 70 and retained the lead after 54 holes, two strokes ahead of Venturi, who made up four shots with a 66 (−4).

Masters champion Arnold Palmer had led after the first round,[9] but hopes of a grand slam faded with a 75 in the third.

He was suffering dehydration due to an oppressive heat wave and had to take treatments with tea and salt tablets in between rounds.

Future champion Raymond Floyd made his U.S. Open debut this year at age 21 and finished in 14th place.

[10] A lack of rainfall in the previous six weeks reduced its effective length, and it played firm and fast.