John Senden saw his third round US Open pairing as almost a call to arms – a chance for him to stand up against one of the world’s best.

Playing alongside world No.3 Lee Westwood, Senden answered the challenge and, while the Englishman outscored him by a shot, both men roared up the leaderboard within striking distance of a maiden major championship.

Senden’s two-under-par 68 moved the Queenslander up 21 places into a share of eighth at three-over and four strokes from joint leaders and former US Open champions Jim Furyk and Graeme McDowell.

Westwood was tied fourth after his 67.

“Playing with Westwood was great, I knew he wasn’t going away and I’m impressed by players like him,” Senden said.

“The best players in the world never back down. They are always there, they are always mentally in the zone and it helped me to see that and feed off it.

“Furyk is the same. He is so mentally tough that he doesn’t ever beat himself up and out of a tournament.

“I felt like we had a good day and fed off each other.”

With conditions set to be even harder and faster on Sunday, Senden, one of the best ball-strikers in world golf, posed a legitimate threat for the title.

Senden was excited about having a legitimate shot at the biggest win of his career.

“That’s why we practice,” he said.

“I’ve been getting more and more experience in the major championships but Sunday with the pressure will be tough but I’ll just be going out there, playing my game and do the best I can.

“I think we have a chance to give it a shot tomorrow.”