Russell Knox goes into the final round of the Scottish Open eyeing not only back-to-back European PGA Tour wins but a victory in his 'home' tournament, while Graeme McDowell played his way right out of contention in Gullane Golf Club.
The Portrush native began the day on five-under, level with Ryan Fox at the mid-way point, but while the New Zealander posted a seven-under 63, McDowell could not take perform in similar conditions and ended the day eight shots further back.
Sweden's Jens Dantorp shot a third-round 68 to take the outright lead on -13, ahead of a congested leaderboard.
Dantorp, 29, will start the final round one stroke ahead of his compatriot Alexander Bjork, American Rickie Fowler, England's Matthew Fitzpatrick, Australian Scott Hend, Fox and German Marcel Siem.
Fox and Hend shot matching 63s while Russell Knox, fresh from his triumph at the Irish Open last week, played himself into contention to make it back-to-back wins with a 66 that leaves him two shots off the lead.
With the wind blowing in the opposite direction than over the first two days the opening stretch was playing far harder than previously, but that meant better scoring was possible on the back nine.
And that front nine really hurt 2010 US Open winner, McDowell, as he opened with double-bogeys on the first and third holes, followed by a fifth dropped shot on the fourth.
Two birdies on five and six stopped the rot but another shot was lost on the seventh and from then on it was damage limitation.
McDowell fared a lot better with the wind on the back nine and picked up three shots but will start the day on Sunday a long way back, currently tied for 55th.
But for Knox the prospect of winning his home event is the big driving factor going into Sunday and he hopes to build on his win at Ballyliffin.
"Winning is fun and I still have not come down from winning in Ireland," he said. "Confidence snowballs in a good and bad way and obviously I'm on a good wave at the moment. Hopefully I can keep riding it.
"Winning your home Open is a massive goal. Other than winning a major, this is right up there with the tournament you really want to win the most."
