Jonas Blixt led the charge as the hopes of a first European winner at the Masters Tournament since 1999 improved on day three at Augusta National.
The Swede carded a 71 to lie four under par on his tournament debut, one behind leaders Bubba Watson and Jordan Spieth, while Miguel Angel Jiménez, Thomas Björn and Lee Westwood also put themselves in contention for a first Major victory.
Watson, the 2012 winner, began the day with a three shot lead but despite an eagle at the second after a stunning approach to three feet, struggled around the greens and carded five birdies.
The 20 year old Spieth, looking to break Tiger Woods’ record as the youngest winner of the green jacket, produced a two under par 70 to join his compatriot Watson on five under par.
Blixt is alongside Matt Kuchar on four under, while 50 year old Jiménez – in contrast to Spieth looking to become the game’s oldest Major Champion – moved into a share of fifth courtesy of a best-of-the-week 66 early in the day.
He sits alongside Rickie Fowler, with Björn, Westwood and Jim Furyk a single stroke further back.
US Open Champion Justin Rose is on one under and Ian Poulter level par, both retaining a chance of bidding for glory on Sunday.
Defending champion Adam Scott struggled to a third round of 76 but was only six off the lead on one over.
Blixt, who enjoyed an outstanding college career in America where he now resides, held a share of the lead when he birdied the 16th from 15 feet but dropped a shot at the next en route to a 71.
“I've been putting really well around there,” said the 29 year old.
“I feel like almost everything in my bag is working pretty well; if I can put the golf ball on the fairway tomorrow I think I'll be dangerous.
“You've got to keep hitting good putts, and if tomorrow isn't my day tomorrow, then it's not. I've had a good experience and I'll definitely try to come back.”
Jiménez, who will make his Seniors Tour debut next week, only made the halfway cut with a shot to spare, but surged through the field with a best-of-the-week 66 containing seven birdies and just one bogey.
Jiménez is already the oldest winner in European Tour history, extending his own record by successfully defending his Hong Kong Open title in December, just weeks before turning 50 on January 5.
And the veteran Spaniard would become the oldest winner in Major history if he could claim a green jacket on Sunday, eclipsing the record of Julius Boros, who was 48 years, four months and 18 days old when he won the 1968 US PGA Championship.
"That would mean a lot," said Jiménez, who held the halfway lead in The Open at Muirfield last year. "I have plenty of victories in my career and having a Major in my career would be amazing. That would be the flower on top.
"If you are 50 it doesn't mean that you cannot play well. I'm still moving. I'm still flexible. I hit the ball longer than ever. I'm competitive you know. I don't want to commit to play the Champions Tour or any more senior events, apart from the Senior British Open, because I want to put myself in place too for the Ryder Cup. I would love to play the Ryder Cup.
"The main thing is that I'm doing what I like to do in my life and I'm enjoying it completely. It's my 26th year on Tour and probably some people say, that's so many years, that's got to be hard on the body. No, I love what I'm doing and I hope I'm still in the same condition for another 25. I'm not going to get bored of myself!
"I feel great. I feel fantastic. I like the feeling of the knot in my stomach. I feel that thing since Monday when I got here, it doesn't disappear. I love that kind of pressure. That's why I'm still competing."
Birdies at the third and fifth took Jiménez to the turn in 34 and the former Ryder Cup player birdied the tenth, 11th, 13th, 14th and 16th, with a bogey on the 12th his only blemish.
Westwood had failed to birdie any of the par fives in the first two rounds, but picked up shots at the second, eighth, 13th and 15th.
"Augusta is one of those places where I feel I can turn my game around," said Westwood, who took a two shot lead into the final round of The Open at Muirfield last year but finished third.
"I know how to get round even if I'm not on my game. The course changes as the week goes on and Sunday afternoon is even more fun. Anyone within four or five of the lead will have a chance tomorrow, especially with the way the golf course is playing out here."
The Swede carded a 71 to lie four under par on his tournament debut, one behind leaders Bubba Watson and Jordan Spieth, while Miguel Angel Jiménez, Thomas Björn and Lee Westwood also put themselves in contention for a first Major victory.
Watson, the 2012 winner, began the day with a three shot lead but despite an eagle at the second after a stunning approach to three feet, struggled around the greens and carded five birdies.
The 20 year old Spieth, looking to break Tiger Woods’ record as the youngest winner of the green jacket, produced a two under par 70 to join his compatriot Watson on five under par.
Blixt is alongside Matt Kuchar on four under, while 50 year old Jiménez – in contrast to Spieth looking to become the game’s oldest Major Champion – moved into a share of fifth courtesy of a best-of-the-week 66 early in the day.
He sits alongside Rickie Fowler, with Björn, Westwood and Jim Furyk a single stroke further back.
US Open Champion Justin Rose is on one under and Ian Poulter level par, both retaining a chance of bidding for glory on Sunday.
Defending champion Adam Scott struggled to a third round of 76 but was only six off the lead on one over.
Blixt, who enjoyed an outstanding college career in America where he now resides, held a share of the lead when he birdied the 16th from 15 feet but dropped a shot at the next en route to a 71.
“I've been putting really well around there,” said the 29 year old.
“I feel like almost everything in my bag is working pretty well; if I can put the golf ball on the fairway tomorrow I think I'll be dangerous.
“You've got to keep hitting good putts, and if tomorrow isn't my day tomorrow, then it's not. I've had a good experience and I'll definitely try to come back.”
Jiménez, who will make his Seniors Tour debut next week, only made the halfway cut with a shot to spare, but surged through the field with a best-of-the-week 66 containing seven birdies and just one bogey.
Jiménez is already the oldest winner in European Tour history, extending his own record by successfully defending his Hong Kong Open title in December, just weeks before turning 50 on January 5.
And the veteran Spaniard would become the oldest winner in Major history if he could claim a green jacket on Sunday, eclipsing the record of Julius Boros, who was 48 years, four months and 18 days old when he won the 1968 US PGA Championship.
"That would mean a lot," said Jiménez, who held the halfway lead in The Open at Muirfield last year. "I have plenty of victories in my career and having a Major in my career would be amazing. That would be the flower on top.
"If you are 50 it doesn't mean that you cannot play well. I'm still moving. I'm still flexible. I hit the ball longer than ever. I'm competitive you know. I don't want to commit to play the Champions Tour or any more senior events, apart from the Senior British Open, because I want to put myself in place too for the Ryder Cup. I would love to play the Ryder Cup.
"The main thing is that I'm doing what I like to do in my life and I'm enjoying it completely. It's my 26th year on Tour and probably some people say, that's so many years, that's got to be hard on the body. No, I love what I'm doing and I hope I'm still in the same condition for another 25. I'm not going to get bored of myself!
"I feel great. I feel fantastic. I like the feeling of the knot in my stomach. I feel that thing since Monday when I got here, it doesn't disappear. I love that kind of pressure. That's why I'm still competing."
Birdies at the third and fifth took Jiménez to the turn in 34 and the former Ryder Cup player birdied the tenth, 11th, 13th, 14th and 16th, with a bogey on the 12th his only blemish.
Westwood had failed to birdie any of the par fives in the first two rounds, but picked up shots at the second, eighth, 13th and 15th.
"Augusta is one of those places where I feel I can turn my game around," said Westwood, who took a two shot lead into the final round of The Open at Muirfield last year but finished third.
"I know how to get round even if I'm not on my game. The course changes as the week goes on and Sunday afternoon is even more fun. Anyone within four or five of the lead will have a chance tomorrow, especially with the way the golf course is playing out here."
