That's a wrap from us but there will be more live text commentary on Sunday as the US Open reaches a crescendo. The fourth round will get under way at 14:32 BST, with Toru Taniguchi going out on his own, while Martin Kaymer and Rickie Fowler will be the last pair to set off at 20:35 BST. Bye for now. Until tomorrow.

"I was pretty steady and calm for most of the day," said Erik Compton of his three-under-par 67 which left him three under for the tournament.

"I didn't really mishit a shot for the first 10 holes and it's fun to play got when you're hitting good shots.

Image source, Reuters

"I'm in great shape and I've worked really hard to get to this level because I've been through a lot. It's exciting to see it pay off and the true test for me is the pressure. Yesterday, I was in the mix but, when I went home and watched some golf on TV, I didn't see myself so I figured today would be the same and that the pressure would be off.

"I'm really looking forward to getting out there again tomorrow. I felt so comfortable out there, maybe because I've been in so many pressure situations in my life and to be out here playing golf is a pleasure."

Could that birdie on the last be the extra cushion Kaymer needed to ensure he sleeps easily this evening? Two players, Rickie Fowler and Erik Compton, are five shots behind on three under but they have a mountain to climb if they are to overhaul the German.

Kaymer and his caddie exchange high-fives, although is it a high five if it's at waist height? The German won't be worrying about such trivialities because he has put himself in the driving seat and should he continue on this road the 2014 US Open title will be his.

Kaymer studies the line, a gentle tap and in the hole it goes! The German returns to -8 and will now enjoy a five-shot overnight lead.

Brendon Todd will be pleased his day has finished. The man who started at -4 finishes the third round on +5.

Martin Kaymer leaves himself with a 6ft putt for a birdie on the 18th and should he end the round with a flourish he will extend his lead to five shots. The German walking towards the green, taking in some fluid and squinting as the sun directs its glare onto him.

Image source, Reuters

Four players remain on the course and both pairings are on the 18th so not much remains of the third round.

Actually, Kevin Na has just held par on the last hole for a level score, while Brandt Snedeker has just finished with a two-over-par 72 for the round, leaving him -1 for the tournament.

Beautiful from Kaymer as he finds the middle of the 18th fairway. His playing partner Brendon Todd has stopped the rot at least, making pars on the 16th and 17th.

Image source, Reuters

Kaymer walks away with a par on the par-three 17th and the German is likely to start the final round with a handsome lead.

Of his nearest challengers, only Brandt Snedeker is still out in the field and the American has found the green on the 18th, though he has left himself with a humungous birdie putt.

And then there were six. Merely six players are under par for the tournament, while half that amount are under par for the round. Martin Kaymer has bogeyed five holes today but remains four shots ahead thanks to his flawless opening two rounds.

Kevin Na's round is unravelling as the American double bogeys the 16th to drop back to level for the tournament and +3 for the day. A shot behind him is Justin Rose, who has crept up the leaderboard without swinging a stick.

So how do you play replicate the Martin Kaymer show at Pinehurst?

A few tips were visible on the range earlier as the Players Championship winner used a tennis ball tool to practice his technique. In essence, he gripped his club whilst trapping the dangling tennis ball between his forearms throughout the swing. Seems to have done the trick.

Image source, Getty Images

There are plenty of players well positioned to exert some pressure on Martin Kaymer on Sunday and major debutant Brendon Todd was one of them until, that is, it went horribly wrong for the Pittsburgh native.

Image source, Reuters

He was four under at the start of the third round, but a paint-by-numbers card has crushed his hopes at Pinehurst and he is currently +5 overall with two holes to play.

The 28-year-old's only PGA Tour win came one month ago today, at the HP Byron Nelson Championship.

Should Kaymer drop another shot, Rickie Fowler and Erik Compton will be going to bed this evening dreaming about overtaking manoeuvres.

Brendon de Jonge had started the round alongside Fowler, Compton and co but is now +1 for the tournament. The Zimbabwean experienced a dreadful back nine, with bogeys on the 12th, 13th and 16th and a double bogey on the 15th.

Jay Townsend
BBC Radio 5 live summariser at Pinehurst

"If you had told Martin Kaymer he would have a three-shot lead with a few holes to go on Saturday, he would have jumped at it.

"Would he have taken it before today? I would. Four shots? He's in a great position now, forget the fact he is three over par for the day. If he stays like this by tomorrow afternoon here, seven under wins."

Martin Kaymer flirting with the chasing pack as he slips to -7 after a bogey on the 15th. The German under-clubbed his putt and his lead has been reduced to four. FOUR!

As the day progresses, fewer and fewer players are remaining in the red. Matt Kuchar has a chance to join the seven who are under par for the tournament, but he fluffs his birdie chance on the 18th. A wry smile from the American who is level for the tournament.

And there's some Martin Kaymer news for you! Stand by!

American Rickie Fowler is three under, tied for second spot and currently five shots behind Kaymer.

"It's awesome," says Fowler. "The goal for the year was to be in contention in the majors and I'm doing that, even if Martin is five, six, seven ahead. I've just got to look at the other guys and do my best to beat them and see what happens.

"I got off to good start on the second with a good up-and-down and I kept moving forward from there. I got away with a couple of bad swings but I holed some good putts."

Image source, Getty Images

Martin Kaymer with a birdie chance, but oof it is a pimple short of dropping in. That was close. The German just needed a gust of wind to help the ball drop into the hole. The leader remains at -8.

Image source, Reuters

"I was pretty steady and calm for most of the day," Compton says. "I didn't really mishit a shot for the first 10 holes and it's fun to play golf when you're hitting good shots.

"I'm in great shape and I've worked really hard to get to this level because I've been through a lot. It's exciting to see it pay off and the true test for me is the pressure.

"I'm really looking forward to getting out there again tomorrow. I felt so comfortable out there, maybe because I've been in so many pressure situations in my life and to be out here playing golf is a pleasure."