Lowry thought level par would have a great chance to win at Pinehurst.
Matthieu Pavon, trying to become only the second Frenchman to win a major title, made three birdies on the front nine at Pinehurst to grab a one-stroke lead in Saturday's third round of the US Open.But Aberg was short of the green with his approach at the fourth to stumble back just before Pavon took the lead with a birdie putt from just outside 21 feet at the seventh.
Masters champion and world number one Scottie Scheffler survived on the mark following a birdie-free 74.