The third round started later than was initially scheduled, as a storm yetsterday afternoon meant that this morning, half of the field had still not finished their second 18 holes.

Koepka did not let the disruption bother him, however, shooting five birdies in the opening nine holes of his third round.

At that point the American lead by five shots and looked set to build a formidable lead ahead of tomorrow's final round.

A bogey on the 14th and 15th, however, coupled with some strong play from Australian Adam Scott, meant he finished the day just two shots ahead.

"I played pretty well and got off to a hot start," he said.

"On the back nine I just made a couple of bad swings."

Koepka added: "It was nice to right the ship on the 17th.

"I just have to stay in the moment, don't think about anything else, just come out and play."

Koepka’s compatriot Gary Woodland, who led after two rounds on 10 under par, now sits three shots back after carding a one over par round today, which included a disastrous triple bogey on the par-four 10th where he found three separate greenside bunkers.

Fourteen-time major winner Tiger Woods is still in with a chance of another Sunday victory.

The American sits four shots back on minus eight after scoring a four under par 66 today.

Another American, Jordan Spieth meanwhile, who entered the tournament looking to complete the career grand-slam, has little chance as he sits eight shots back.