Jamie Donaldson will go into the final round of the WGC-Cadillac Championship as one of only five players under par and three shots behind leader Patrick Reed.
The Welshman added a third round 71 to his best of day two 70 as the 38 year old reached one under for the week at Trump National Doral’s Blue Monster, where the wind had dropped significantly compare to the first two days.
Reed signed for a three under par 69 and leads on four under, with Jason Dufner and Hunter Mahan his nearest challengers two strokes further back.
Donaldson was joined in a share of fourth by World Number One Tiger Woods, who scythed through the field with an impressive six under par 66.
Two-time European Tour winner Donaldson had started the day one off the pace and moved into a share of the lead with a birdie from two feet at the first after a fine pitch.
A 50 foot putt at the short fourth kept him in the thick of things, although bogeys at the sixth and ninth checked his progress.
However, birdies at the 11th and 14th either side of a dropped shot at the 13th kept Donaldson in touch as he chases a first World Golf Championships title.
“I'm enjoying myself - it's a tough battle out there,” said Donaldson. “The course is playing really difficult, but I'm enjoying myself and same again tomorrow.
“I just need to hole more putts. I played pretty good today. I’m going to hit a few putts now and see if we can get something ready for tomorrow.
“Even with no wind on this golf course, it's still a very tough test.”
Woods had been out early after reaching the halfway stage five over for the week, and responded with eight birdies and two bogeys.
Having birdied the long first, the American holed a 12 footer at the third and gained another shot after a fine approach to eight feet two holes later.
A chip to four feet set up a simple gain at the eighth, and putts of 15 feet and 25 feet at the 12th and 15th helped to complete an excellent day’s work.
“I played well today,” said the 14-time Major Champion. “I got off to a nice start.
“Other than the three-putt at four, I really hit the ball well and made some putts. It was a nice day all around.
“It was nice to get back in the tournament again. I held it together yesterday, a long day, a long, tough day and that gave me a chance today.
“I felt like my swing is coming around, which is nice. I just need to get healthy enough to where I can put the club in that position.”
Spain’s Miguel Angel Jiménez was alongside Dustin Johnson and Zach Johnson in the group at level par after coming home in 33 for a third round 69.
“I made my first birdie on the eighth and then started to hole some putts on the back nine, and that brings you up here,” said the 50 year old.
“It's difficult to put the ball close to the holes, and then you need some support from the putter and that's what I did well on the back nine.
“Winning or not winning, what I will try to do is still enjoy myself - that's the main thing. That is the only way you can catch someone.”
