David Lingmerth did not get the third round he had hoped for.
Three bogeys, a double bogey and a pitiful birdie meant 74 strokes, four over par on the par 70 course, and a drop of nine places in the results list.
Lingmerth started the US Open brilliantly on 67 strokes which meant a place in the lead, but has not managed to follow it up.
The field's second Swede, Sebastian Söderberg, had an even worse Saturday of 78 strokes and is close to the bottom of the players who are allowed to play all weekend.
However, he was in good company in the fresh winds and coolness.
Two-time major winner Collin Morikawa, who was in a split lead before the day, for example, went around 77 strokes and collapsed.
Will Zalatoris, USA, instead climbed fifteen places to a first place after a round of 67 strokes, a total of -4.
He shares first place with Englishman Matt Fitzpatrick.
Banana a "monster"
- It felt like I shot a 61-lap.
As soon as I made a mistake, I corrected it in some miraculous way, says Zalatoris who describes the course as a monster, every blow is a fight and you get nothing for free.
Last year's winner Jon Rahm looked to be allowed to sit in the clubhouse as leader, but a double bogey on the 18th hole meant that he is one stroke behind the close duet (seven players have a chance of winning before the last lap).
- The fact is that it was six good strokes, even though it was unfortunately a six, says Rahm.