Justin Rose looks skyward apparently in recognition of his deceased father after putting on the 18th hole to win the 113th U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club on June 16, in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.
(CNN) -- They've mirrored each other at Merion. And now it looks like both Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy won't be in contention on the final day of the U.S. Open.
Woods shot a six-over-par 76 Saturday on Merion's unforgiving East Course and McIlroy, second only to Woods in the world rankings, carded a 75.
They were paired together for the third straight day, hitting identical 73s in first round and 70s in the second.
While the top-ranked duo were only four shots behind co-leaders Phil Mickelson and Billy Horschel through two rounds, McIlroy had slipped a further two shots behind the clubhouse leader, Australia's Jason Day, and Woods was seven shots behind Day.
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It got worse after Mickelson, a five-time U.S. Open runner-up, completed his round and took a one-stroke overall advantage. McIlroy drifted to nine shots behind and Woods 10.
It means Woods' wait to end his five-year drought at majors appears set to continue.
Woods, bothered by a left arm injury he sustained en route to winning The Players Championship last month, raised hopes among his fans when he struck a birdie on the first hole.
Woods, though, wouldn't hit another birdie for the rest of the round. Instead he registered seven bogeys.
McIlroy, in search of a third major, wasn't much better, hitting one more birdie than Woods.
The low scores at Merion have failed to materialize, and Sergio Garcia needed 10 shots to complete the par-4 15th hole. Despite the disastrous hole, he still managed to match McIlroy and shoot a 75 which left him tied for 44th with defending champion Webb Simpson.
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Garcia said he was heckled in the first round and a fan blurted out, "fried chicken" before he teed off at his first hole Saturday. It was a reference to the "fried chicken" jibe Garcia directed at Woods last month.
Garcia issued a public apology and left Woods a note this week leading into the tournament.
Day, the 2011 runner-up, ended the third round in eighth place after a two-under-par 68.
He was overtaken by the late groupings as Mickelson carded 70 to be one-under 209 after 54 holes.
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Mickelson finished birdie-bogey, having dropped shots at 3 and 5 before recovering them at 10-11.
"I've had opportunities in years past, and it has been so fun, even though it's been heart-breaking to come so close a number of times and let it slide," said the four-time major winner, who turns 43 on Sunday.
"But I feel better equipped than I have ever felt heading into the final round of a U.S. Open. My ball striking is better than it's ever been. My putting is better than it has been in years, and I feel very comfortable on this golf course. I love it."
His fellow veteran Stricker matched that 70 to be tied for second alongside Ryder Cup teammate Hunter Mahan and South Africa's 2011 Masters winner Charl Schwartzel, who both shot 69.
Former world No. 1 Luke Donald had been in the lead but the Englishman dropped a shot at 17 and double-bogeyed the final hole to fall back to 211 alongside compatriot Justin Rose -- who matched his 71 -- and Horschel.
Horschel, playing his first major as a pro having missed the cut as an amateur back in 2006, played the difficult closing holes in par to sign for a 72.
American Rickie Fowler carded the best round of the day, a four-birdie 67 which moved him up to ninth -- one shot ahead of leading amateur Michael Kim.
Kim, born in South Korea but raised in San Diego, had been in a tie for third after firing four birdies in six holes but a horrendous finish -- bogey, double bogey, bogey -- meant he ended with a 71, five shots behind Mickelson.
He is seeking to become the first amateur to finish in the top 10 since 1971, and the first to win the U.S. Open since 1933.
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Phil Mickelson celebrates with caddie Jim Mackay after making a shot for eagle on the 10th hole par 4 during the final round on June 16.
Tiger Woods hits from the 5th tee during the fourth round on June 16.
Charl Schwartzel and Steve Stricker examine the green during the final round.
Billy Horschel hits his second shot on the 15th hole on June 16.
Jason Day reacts to his missed putt for birdie on the 15th hole on June 16.
Luke Donald climbs up a bank after hitting out of a water hazard at the 4th hole on June 16.
Justin Rose hits an approach shot on the fourth hole on June 16.
Ian Poulter hits his third shot on the 10th hole during the final round on June 16.
Rory McIlroy hits his second shot on the second hole.
Hideki Matsuyama of Japan talks with caddie Daisuke Shindo on the first hole on June 16.
The names of Phil Mickelson of the United States, Hunter Mahan of the United States, Steve Stricker of the United States and Charl Schwartzel of South Africa are seen on a leaderboard during the final round on June 16.
A gallery of fans follows Tiger Woods and Matt Bettencourt of the United States near the second hole during the final round on June 16.
Phil Mickelson reacts on the 18th green during round three of the 113th U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club on Saturday, June 15, in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.
Hunter Mahan hits his second shot on the 14th hole.
A groundhog is seen along the sixth fairway on June 15.
Tiger Woods of the United States putts on the ninth green on June 15.
Justin Rose plans the next shot near the 17th green on June 15.
Steve Stricker drives from the fifth tee on June 15.
Charley Hoffman dries his feet after chipping to the fourth green from a creek during the third round on June 15.
John Senden of Australia putts on the ninth hole on June 15.
Luke Donald hits a shot from a bunker on the 17th hole during round three on June 15.
Cheng-Tsung Pan of Chinese Taipei hits his second shot on the 16th hole during a continuation of round two on June 15.
A caddie rakes a bunker at the 10th hole on June 15.
Sergio Garcia of Spain places a ball on the 17th green on June 15.
Ian Poulter of England waits to putt on the 18th green on June 15.
Phil Mickelson of the United States hits his second shot on the 10th hole during round two of the 113th U.S. Open on Friday, June 14.
Mickelson smiles as he walks off the 11th tee during round two on June 14.
Justin Rose of England lines up a putt on the second green during round two on June 14.
Steve Stricker of the United States hits his second shot on hole two on June 14.
Tiger Woods of the United States hits a chip shot on the eighth hole during round two.
Woods misses a putt for birdie on the ninth hole on June 14.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and Woods walk up the 10th hole during round two on June 14.
Bubba Watson of the United States hits his tee shot on the second hole during round two on June 14.
Billy Horschel of the United States waits on the 16th tee with caddie Micah Fugitt during round two on June 14.
Mathew Goggin of Australia hits his second shot on the first hole during a continuation of the first round on June 14. Rain delayed the round on June 13.
Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland hits from a bunker on the 15th hole on June 14.
Luke Donald of England walks with caddie John McLaren on the 17th hole on June 14.
Tiger Woods of the United States putts on the 14th hole on June 14.
Jose Maria Olazabal of Spain hits his second shot on the 17th hole on June 14.
England's Ian Poulter tees off at the second hole during the first round on Thursday, June 13.
Roger Tambellini of the United States hits his second shot from a bunker on the first hole on June 13.
Bill Haas of the United States ponders a putt on the 10th hole on June 13.
Ryan Yip of Canada hits his second shot out of a bunker on the 10th hole on June 13.
On the fourth hole, Aaron Baddeley of Australia tees off on June 13.
Lucas Glover of the United States tees off on the 11th hole on June 13.
The gallery takes in the U.S. Open from the 17th hole at Merion Golf Club on June 13.
Steve Stricker of the United States tees off on the 13th hole on June 13.
Rain begins to fall and play is suspended on June 13.
A man looks out over the 18th hole after play was suspended during a storm on June 13.
People traverse the 18th fairway during a weather delay on June 13.
Jason Day of Australia, Rickie Fowler of the United States and Matteo Manassero of Italy play on the 17th green on June 13.
Scott Stallings of the U.S. shoots from a bunker on the 15th hole on June 13.
On the 17th hole, Padraig Harrington of Ireland makes his second shot on June 13.
Cheng-Tsung Pan of Taiwan tees off on the 11th hole during on June 13.
Dustin Johnson of the U.S. tees off on the 18th hole on June 13.
Phil Mickelson of the U.S. watches his shot from the tee of the second hole on June 13.
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