Rory McIlroy goes into the final round at the Players Championship title at Sawgrass four strokes off the lead after a third round of 70.
The world number one recovered from a front nine of 37 with birdies on the 11th, 13th and 16th to end up on six under par, four strokes behind American Chris Kirk.
"Tee to green it's been really good, I've given myself a lot of chances and really could not convert much," McIlroy told Sky Sports after his round.
"I've struggled to read the greens all week and just don't quite have it on the greens like I did last week [when he won the WGC-Cadillac Match Play].
"I've left myself in a position where I am going to need something pretty special tomorrow to have a chance; a 64 or 65 to get somewhere around 13 or 14 under. I think that would go very close."
It was a more difficult day for Graeme McDowell, whose third round of 74 left him on one over.
Padraig Harrington endured a tough day three, carding a 75 to end up three over.
Back at the top of the leaderboard, a third-round 68 moved Kirk to 10 under.
A shot behind him on nine under were American trio Kevin Kisner, Ben Martin, and Bill Haas, who shot 67, 68, and 68, respectively.
One stroke further back on eight under was a group that included Sergio Garcia who, a day after snapping his putter in half in frustration, fought back into contention for a second Players Championship title.
Garcia was so frustrated with his putting during a second round of 72 that he switched back and forth between a conventional grip and the "claw" method he has used successfully for the last few years.
And after detailing his frustrations to the media - admitting "I don't know what to do" - the Ryder Cup star found the nearest bin, broke his putter in half and disposed of it in unceremonial fashion.
Having secured a replacement for the third round, Garcia still missed a number of short putts - most notably from three feet for birdie on the 13th - but also chipped in for an eagle on the second and carded five birdies and two bogeys in a superb 67.
Garcia crucially saved par from 12 feet on the 18th after a poor approach and told Sky Sports: "Unfortunately I am still not 100 per cent with my putting. I missed three or four shorties but at least it was nice to make that last one on 18.
"That was big. I hit a great shot and a bad second, hit a very good chip and to be able to make that putt hopefully gives me a chance to do something [on Sunday]."
