Saturday 12 July 2014 22:42, UK
Justin Rose moved into a share of the lead at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open after a superb third round of 66 on Saturday.
The Englishman produced a sparkling display on the more testing back nine at Royal Aberdeen to get himself to 10-under-par, level with Marc Warren.
The Scot came close to winning his home event two years ago only to blow a three-shot lead in the closing stages at Castle Stuart, but he will now start Sunday’s final round with a chance to put that right after a fine 67.
But it could have been even better for Warren who had moved clear of the field on 12-under after playing his first 13 holes in six-under-par.
His first bogey followed at 14, though, and another at his final hole ensured he would hold only a share of the lead overnight.
For his part, Rose was in danger of falling off the pace when he managed just one birdie on the front nine, which was again playing the easiest part of the course due to the direction of the wind.
But the 33-year-old then carded a hat-trick of birdies from the 10th and recovered from his only bogey of the day on the 14th with two more on the 15th and 16th for a back nine of 31 - the lowest of the day.
"I fell asleep on my second shot to 14 after a perfect drive and made bogey there but gave myself a good talking to on the 15th," stated Rose, who arrived in Scotland off the back of his victory at Congressional two weeks ago.
"It would definitely hold its own amongst the courses I have won on. That's definitely been my M.O. recently; of the tournaments I've managed to win they have all been on pretty stout tests. I'd take pride in winning on a links course for sure."
Warren said: "On the front nine I played really well, really in control of what I was doing. It was a little bit scrappy towards the end there but I'm tied going into tomorrow and playing with a major champion. I'm in a great position, a very exciting position as well.
"For us Scottish guys it doesn't get much better than this. It's our fifth major. I've been in this situation before, so once the gun goes I'll be ready to do my job.”
The leading duo hold a one-shot lead over Sweden's Kristoffer Broberg (68), with England's Tyrrell Hatton two shots further back after matching Rose's 66.
Scotland's Craig Lee also returned a 66 to lie six-under alongside joint overnight leader Ricardo Gonzalez, who bogeyed three of his last seven holes in a 71.
Rory McIlroy is seven off the pace after a 68 and defending champion Phil Mickelson another shot back after bogeys on the 16th and 18th in a round of 70.
