Rory McIlroy is three shots behind the lead heading into the final round of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, after carding a round of 66 on Saturday.
With last week's Irish Open heartbreak still raw, the Holywood man ended the third round tied with Billy Horschel, with both men three shots behind the Italian leader Matteo Manassero.
McIlroy is seeking a second victory at Wentworth after a lengthy wait, the world number three lifting the title in 2014 before going on to win his third and fourth majors in the Open and US PGA.
"Since I won here I've had a few good chances I’ve let slip by," McIlroy said after saving par on the 18th following an approach into the water.
"I’m basically a resident at Wentworth now, building a house here. I love it here. It would be amazing to get my name on the trophy again."
Asked about bouncing back from agonisingly missing out on a first professional win in Northern Ireland seven days ago, McIlroy added: "I think it’s been a familiar story with my career.
"I have setbacks and I usually come back pretty well from them. Some are harder than others, obviously, but I think in this game you have to be resilient.
"You have to understand and recognise that you’re going to lose a lot more than you win, and you have to be okay with that and you have to accept that.
"I haven’t won since May but have given myself plenty of chances. I’m due, but that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily going to happen."
Pádraig Harrington is in joint-21st position on eight-under, after following up two one-under rounds with a six-under on Saturday.
Shane Lowry and Tom McKibbin are among those tied on seven-under after three rounds.
Manassero, who was just 20 when he claimed his fourth DP World Tour title in May 2013, carded an eagle and seven birdies in a flawless third round of 63 to reach 18 under par, a new tournament record.
Friday night leader Matt Baldwin, who had equalled the tournament record with his halfway total of 13 under, carded a 71 to drop four shots off the pace.
Manassero’s play-off win in 2013 looked set to make him the next star of European golf, but he lost his way chasing extra distance and had slumped to 1,805th in the world rankings before winning on the developmental Alps Tour three years ago.
After winning twice on the Challenge Tour last year, Manassero won his first top-tier event in more than a decade in South Africa in March and now has his sights set on a second victory of the season.
"It would mean winning one of the best events in golf outside the majors," Manassero said. "It’s a massive thing and against great players on a tough golf course it would mean a lot.
"It already means a lot to be here in this position having played three really good rounds of golf. That’s already a very good sign for myself.
"I did fear I wouldn’t get back because you’re never sure until you actually do it. Even when you’re playing better, doing things well and you don’t succeed then you’re never sure, even though you may be really close."
Manassero played alongside McIlroy in the last group in the final round of the Irish Open on Sunday, with both men overtaken by Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard in a thrilling finish at Royal County Down.
"I don’t think you would find one player on Tour that isn’t so happy for him," McIlroy said of Manassero.
"To be a young phenom and then lose your game and go play the Alps Tour, the character you need to do that is amazing to see. He’s such a nice guy, level-headed and it’s good to see him back to where he belongs."
