Jon Rahm recorded a closing 68 for his best finish at a U.S. Open Championship and was hopeful he had laid himself a platform for future Major glory.
The Spaniard announced himself to the world when he finished as low amateur at the event in 2016 and while he has gone on to establish himself as a power in the game since, he missed the cut in America's Major in 2017 and 2018.
He turned that record on its head at Pebble Beach Golf Links, recording four under par rounds to finish in a tie for third and briefly have hopes of winning on the front nine on Sunday.
The 24-year-old now has top fives in three of the four Major Championships and feels he trending in the right direction for a victory in one of golf's big four.
"It's the first time I've ever shot four rounds under par in a U.S. Open," he said. "It's been a while since I shot four rounds under par in a row. I'm happy.
"My third top five in a Major. If I finish top five at The Open and I get my top five grand slam that is not a bad thing to have, still an accomplishment.
"Three solid rounds, a lot of good golf and a lot of good mental moments where my golf wasn't the best.
"That second round I started poorly and ended up great. Even today when things went wrong, I still gave myself chances and ended up with a birdie.
"Hopefully this is a start of a good run in U.S. Opens."
Justin Rose entered the final round one shot off the lead as he looked for a second U.S. Open title but a closing 74 left him in a tie for third alongside Rahm.
Hopefully this is a start of a good run in U.S. Opens - Jon Rahm
The Englishman admitted he had not been at his best in round four but like his Ryder Cup team-mate, he took plenty of positives from the week.
"Today it doesn't hurt," he said. "You reflect and go 'how can I get better?'. There's no point in letting it hurt too much.
"I'm more proud of the fact I even gave myself a chance. I didn't have my 'A' game this week and to contend in a Major with no game, really, I take the positive from that
"I felt good within myself in the situation. You just you need to be really on point and I just gave a couple of cheap bogeys away early on the back nine."
Xander Schauffele also finished at seven under, a shot clear of Louis Oosthuizen and two ahead of Henrik Stenson and Rory McIlroy.
