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UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. -- It wasn't quite a train wreck at Chambers Bay on Saturday ... maybe more like a train fender bender. For the first time this season, Jordan Spieth shot a major championship round over par (71). He didn't squander his lead, though.

"I didn't have my best stuff today but still tied for the lead, and I've had my best stuff at times this week, and I'm pretty sure I know where it is and how to get it tomorrow and get ready to go," he said.

He used his flat stick early on to open up what felt like an Augusta-like lead. In retrospect, it was a good thing. It got away from him shortly thereafter.

Spieth shot 3 over the rest of the way after making birdie at two of the first three holes.  

I walked with him early in his round and happened upon Cole Hammer talking to Spieth's family. Spieth's mom said something comparing her son's putting to that of Hammer, who laughed and replied, "He doesn't need any help putting."

No, he does not. He also doesn't need help with knowing how to shut down a major championship. He and Louis Oosthuizen are the only golfers in the top 14 who have ever done it.

"Since we're all tied, we all have a chance to control our own destiny," Spieth said. "It's who plays better tomorrow."

Four golfers for the tied nation's championship. I'm in.

Here are 10 other thoughts about the third round of the 115th US Open.

1. Dustin Johnson, smoke show: DJ might have committed a felony Saturday at Chambers Bay with his driver. It was the only thing that kept him in it on a day where his irons and putter were failing him. He only hit 12 greens in regulation and had two three-putts. But he averaged 318 yards off the tee and hit every single fairway. Oh, and he did this.

His day also included a near-400-yard drive through the 16th green (which he parred).

2. Louis Oosthuizen could not make a putt: The South African got out early (and often) in his third round at Chambers Bay. His 66 was the round of the day in conditions that did not look capable of yielding a 66. He said it should have been way lower, and it should have been as Oosthuizen missed a lot of putts.

"Today I hit it really close on a lot of holes, could have been probably a lot lower," he said. Can you imagine if he had challenged Johnny Miller's 63 on a day when only five other golfers broke 70?

3. Rory McIlroy could not make a putt: McIlroy was the poor man's Oosthuizen on Saturday. He shot 70 and it should have been lower. "I feel like I turned a 65 into a 70 today," McIlroy said. "Just real disappointed."

He has missed a ton of them this week and still sits T25, just eight back of the lead. If he had shot even a 67, he would be a "is this comeback on the table" story for Sunday. Instead, he's only playing for cash.

4. Jason Day, movie producer: It could happen.

"They're going to make a movie about that round," said Day's caddie Colin Swatton. "I said you've got the heart of a lion. You're going to show the world today you're going to be the greatest you can be. I said that was the greatest round I've ever watched. I've watched a lot of golf and to watch it live is pretty special."

Yes it was.

5. Poor Ben Martin: I was talking to a writer friend on the range whose identity I'm going to protect. He said, "Ben Martin is going to win this thing."

When Martin birdied the first hole, he said, "See, I told you."

Then this happened to Ben Martin.

Via US Open

In case you want me to spell that out: four bogies, three doubles, a triple and a quad.

6 Who started the fire? The takes in the media tent over who started that mysterious fire in Tacoma were predictibly spectacular. Tiger Woods working on his swing, and the duo of Gary Player and Mike Davis planning the final round pin placements were among my favorites. There's only one answer, though.

7. The 18th thrilled: No. 18 has received more attention than maybe any other hole this week. On Saturday, it was awesome. Day birdied it to complete his insanely great round. Johnson and Spieth made tough pars to hang on to the lead. Only Tony Finau made worse than par of anyone in the top 14. 

On Sunday, it's probably going to play as a par 4 again, which is not fun for the golfers. Spieth even said he might play it down the first fairway (off to the far left) with the trophy on the line. That would be something.

By the way, it thrilled after the golf was over, too.

8. J.B. Holmes had the shot of the day: Holmes, who is sponsored by Yum! Brands (i.e., Taco Bell and Pizza Hut), celebrated like he just convinced his family to be breakfast defectors after this eagle hole-out at No. 16.

9. Patrick Reed was filling up the Puget Sound with #TourSauce: In your life, have you ever seen this kind of sauce? Reed came out wearing so many different red, white and blue articles of clothing I started looking for a bald eagle on his caddie's arm. At one point, he walked past me on the range with his earbuds in, and I swear I could hear Whitney Houston belting the national anthem. It went downhill from there for Mr. Reed.

"I think the most important thing is I need to learn how to put four rounds together. I haven't done it in forever. I need to figure it out. It's unacceptable the way I played. I go out there, have I think more doubles than birdies today. It's just ridiculous," he said. "To have a four-putt, I could have done that left-handed. So, it was horrendous out there. And the golf course beat me."

So you could say he wasn't pleased.

10. Spieth seems incredibly relaxed: Saturday felt like a dad letting his young children feel like they were playing outside by themselves even though he was watching from the kitchen window the entire time to make sure nothing got out of hand. Sunday, I'm afraid for the field. It is going to feel like dad heading outside and saying, "OK, it's bedtime."

"I feel a little more relaxed right now after finishing the round vs. when I finished Saturday at Augusta," Spieth said. "I was amped and already ready to start the next round. Right now, I'll be a little bit more patient, I think, in not letting my mind wander and being focused on the next part of the routine to get ready for the round."

It's still his tournament to lose.

Hint: He's not going to lose it.

For more golf news, rumors and analysis, follow @KylePorterCBS on Twitter and link up with CBS Sports Golf on Facebook and Google+. 

Can Jordan Spieth win major No. 2? (Getty Images)
Can Jordan Spieth win major No. 2?  (Getty Images)