The lone Aussie at the U.S. Open Championship, Victorian Marc Leishman carries the hopes of a nation into the weekend at Erin Hills.

Starting the third round right in the mix, just three shots behind the quartet tied for the lead, Leishman looked like he was going to go low on moving day.

He opened his campaign with back-to-back birdies, looking solid in all facets of his game.

Travelling steadily through the front-9 of Erin Hills, Leishman pared his way to the 8^th where he holed a long range birdie putt from 32 feet.

Making the turn at 3-under the card, Leishman was just one shot behind the leaders.

However his round came unravelled at the par-4 12^th where a double bogey plummeted him down the leaderboard.

With a further bogey at the par-3 16^th and birdie opportunities left unconverted, Leishman finished the third round at even par.

He is now 4-under the card after three rounds and tied 17^th but a long way back of the leaders.

Young gun American Justin Thomas made U.S. Open Championship history, firing the lowest ever round to par. His 9-under 63 has him in the clubhouse at 11-under the card.

Still on course, American Brian Harman and Englishman Tommy Fleetwood are tied for the lead at 12-under the card.