England's Matthew Fitzpatrick surged through the field to increase the pressure on halfway leader Robert Rock on day three of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open.
Fitzpatrick began the third round seven shots off the lead, but defied the breeziest conditions of the week to birdie four of the first five holes in a front nine of 31.
And when the former Ryder Cup player also picked up shots on the 10th and 13th he was just a shot behind compatriot Rock, who still had 20 minutes to go before getting his own round under way.
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 New Zealand's Ryan Fox took full advantage with three birdies and an eagle in the last six holes - including a two-putt birdie on the 18th having almost driven the green - to complete a 63 and post the clubhouse target on 12 under par.
Fox lost a play-off in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open last week after Scotland's Russell Knox holed from 40 feet for birdie on the 72nd hole and then did so again from an almost-identical location when the players returned to the 18th for the first hole of sudden death.
Fox's total was soon matched by Fitzpatrick and Australian Scott Hend, Fitzpatrick completing a 64 and Hend making a birdie on the last to go one better with a 63.
"It's a completely different wind from the first two days and I knew the course was going to play tough so to start with four birdies in five holes is always a great start," Fitzpatrick said.
"It's tough to call what it will take to win tomorrow because I'm in pretty early and the last tee time is very late. I still think I could be three or four behind so it will require another special round tomorrow."
