Sunday 29 November 2015 15:37, UK
Jordan Spieth carded the best round of day three, as he moved into second place after 54 holes of the Emirates Australian Open.
The 22-year-old American overcame a poor start in Sydney to post a four-under-par 67 which took him to within three shots of leader Matt Jones.
Despite dropping three strokes over the opening four holes, Spieth recovered superbly by carding six birdies and an eagle over the next 14.
The highlight was his eagle two at the par-four 17th where his 180-yard 8-iron shot bounced twice on the putting surface before rolling into the hole.
He played the back nine in just 31 strokes which leaves him in great shape to successfully defend the title at Australian Golf Club in Sydney.
Spieth admitted: "It was obviously quite a fortunate break on the 17th to go in. I struck it nicely, there's not too much room to land it up there. But today was one of the great fightbacks I've had. I fought hard.
"And now I'm well in contention and in the last group, whether it's three or four behind, it's a lot better than I'd thought it would be after four holes. When I finished my round I thought I'd be tied or one back but either way it's a lot better than I thought it was going to be."
As for his round, he added: "I made a couple of bad swings and a couple of bad decisions. There were not too many pars there - just seven. It was one of the best fought rounds I've had.
"I was in position at the start of the day to make a bit of a move but then I became lazy in my decision-making as you saw with those early bogeys. So to completely rebound with that birdie on five was key, as that settled me down and it was fantastic golf from there on."
However, the two-time major winner will need to perform better from tee-to-green in the concluding round, having hit just 10 greens in regulation on day three - although he needed just 24 putts.
Meanwhile, leader Jones has fired rounds of 67-68-68 and also endured mixed fortunes on Saturday when the heavy crosswinds made life difficult for the players.
There were not many pars there - just seven. It was one of the best fought rounds I've had.
The 35-year-old Aussie traded six birdies with three bogeys and is desperate his hands on the trophy.
Arizona-based Jones, who is chasing only a second career victory, said: "It would be fantastic if I won the Australian Open and it's something I have thought about growing up and watching the likes of my boyhood hero Greg Norman winning this event.
"So I am going to give it everything I can as I would love to have my name on that trophy alongside the likes of (Jack) Nicklaus and Norman. It would be amazing.
"I get to play with the No 1 player in the world on Sunday. If I go out and shoot two or three under tomorrow, I'm going to be very tough to beat. So it's in my hands. If he shoots something amazing like last year and beats me, that's what I'll have to deal with."
Another home player, Rhein Gibson, is in third spot a further two shots adrift while leading Australian Adam Scott is tied-for-seventh nine strokes off the pace.
Watch final round highlights of the Emirates Australian Open on Sunday morning at 7am on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf.
