US OPEN RELATED STORIES US Open Home Page US Open Preview Round 1: Nick Dougherty is early US Open leader Round 1: Tiger Woods happy with opening 71 Round 1: Rose amongst European challengers Round 1: Despite problems Mickelson cards 74 Round 2: Angel Cabrera holds narrow advantage Round 2:Paul Casey tames Oakmont with a 66 Round 2: Poor putting costs Phil Mickelson Round 2: Tiger Woods stays in touch with a 74 Round 3: Aaron Baddeley edges two shots clear Round 3: Lack of patience costs Bubba Watson Round 3: European players in contention Round 3: Steady Tiger Woods closes in Round 4: Angel Cabrera seals narrow US Open win Round 4: Aaron Baddeley falls out of contention with an 80 Round 4: Poor drive costs Jim Furyk another US Open Round 4: Tiger Woods fails to find magic touch on Sunday Course Guide: Oakmont US Open Scores Ernie Els seeks 1994 inspiration Injured Phil Mickelson will play US Open Zach Johnson seeks second major title Tiger Woods ready for US Open Michael Campbell seeking a return to form Oakmont's injured highlight modern game Arnold Palmer recalls first Oakmont experience Oakmont eases a little with thunderstorm 2007 PGA Tour Schedule GOLF TODAY TOP STORIES Sweden win World Cup Internationals claim Lexus Cup Pampling wins in a playoff Choi wins Skins Game Amateur: EGU allow range finders GREAT GIFTS FOR GOLFERS Huge savings on Festive gifts! A golf break in France - just £89! Half Price Golf Vouchers Take 10 shots off your scores! Best Value Golf Insurance

European players in contention

Get close to the top of the leaderboard at a major, and European players know what's coming.

When are you finally going to win one of these things?

"It has to happen sooner rather than later," Justin Rose said Saturday after shooting a 73 that put him three strokes off the lead at the U.S. Open. "There are so many capable players from Europe it has to be a matter of time.

"It's a question of who it will be."

Rose and fellow Englishman Paul Casey both have a shot at it at Oakmont Country Club. The two are 5-over 215, tied for third with Stephen Ames and Bubba Watson behind leader Aaron Baddeley and Tiger Woods.

There was a time in the 1980s and early 1990s when the Europeans were major players at the majors. At the British Open and Masters, at least. Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, Nick Faldo, Ian Woosnam and Jose Maria Olazabal all have titles to their names.

But the Europeans have been shut out since Paul Lawrie won the British in 1999, and you have to go back to Tony Jacklin in 1970 to find the last European who won the U.S. Open. Don't even start on the drought at the PGA Championship.

"The British press and the European press are gagging for it," Casey said. "They can't wait. Hopefully we can pull it off today."

It's not as if the Europeans don't have the talent. Just look at the last few results at the Ryder Cup.

Rose tied for fifth at the 2003 U.S. Open and was third at the Bob Hope this year. Casey has three top 10s this year, including a tie for 10th at Augusta. Throw in Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia, Padraig Harrington and Henrik Stenson, who all missed the cut this week, and no way the Europeans should be on such an oh-fer streak.

"We need to speed it up a bit because it's been too long," Casey said. "It's sad that (Lawrie) was the last European to win a major, because we have a nice talented group right now."