Oakland Hills, Michigan  - Argentina's Andres Romero made a dramatic move up the leaderboard early in the third round of the US PGA Championship at Oakland Hills on Saturday, firing a brilliant 5-under-par 65 to move right into contention.

Saturday is traditionally moving day at Majors and the 27-year-old Romero made the biggest move, rocketing up the leaderboard to 2-over-par, just three shots behind the overnight leader JB Holmes, who had yet to begin his third round.

The leaders will not be out until later than scheduled, either, after a severe weather warning took the players off the course at just after 2.15pm local time (6.15pm GMT).

With a few slightly kinder pin positions than on the first two days, the early starters were able to attack the course a little and Romero, Colombian Camilo Villegas and Northern Irishman Graeme McDowell were the ones who made the biggest moves.

Romero reached the turn in 33, with four birdies and one bogey, while three more on the back nine, and just the lone bogey at 15, saw him finish with a 65, helped by a fine up and down at the last.

Villegas was 4-under-par for his round through 14 holes, to be alongside Romero on 2-over-par, while McDowell was just one shot further back through 16 holes, having picked up three shots on the day.

The leader on the course was American Steve Flesch, who picked up two birdies to be just 1-over-par, two behind his compatriot Holmes.

Pre-tournament favourite Phil Mickelson is 3-over-par, level for his round through five holes, though he will have a 10-foot putt for eagle at the par-four 6th hole when the players return. (dpa)