Enlarge By Donald Miralle, Getty Images Tiger Woods had one of the day's two under-par rounds to put himself just two shots off the lead.  U.S. OPEN AT OAKMONT Oakmont essentials: Third-round scores | Field of 156 players | Past U.S. Open champs Photo gallery: Memorable images from the scene at Oakmont Country Club Third round: Baddeley takes two-shot lead while Tiger lurks in second after 68 Second round: Casey makes big move up leaderboard, Mickelson falters First round: Dougherty shows way at 2 under as field struggles to tame Oakmont Chat transcript: USA TODAY golf writer Jerry Potter answered your questions from Oakmont. Feeling greens: Oakmont will provide test even after players reach putting surface

He choked up on the wedge, his fingers almost touching the steel shaft, and somehow punched it onto the fringe of the 17th green to escape with par and pass his first big test at Oakmont.

"That was key," Baddeley said. "That really felt like a birdie, to be honest."

Next comes the final exam.

Baddeley stood upright and clenched his fist when a 12-foot putt for birdie dropped on the final hole for an even-par 70, knowing that every shot counts at the U.S. Open, especially now.