Scotland's Steven O'Hara defied blustery conditions to match the low round of the week in The Johnnie Walker Championship at The Gleneagles Hotel today.
The 29 year old sank a 15-foot eagle putt on the second, turned in 31 and had a hat-trick of birdies from the 12th.
After 15 holes of his third round O'Hara, who had made the cut with nothing to spare on level par, was a spectacular eight under for the day and joint leader with compatriot Paul Lawrie.
But he three-putted the long 16th for a bogey six and dropped another shot on the 194-yard 17th after bunkering his tee shot.
That left the former Walker Cup player in a tie for fourth as the overnight leaders began their rounds.
O'Hara said: "I hit it pretty close for the first 15 holes. I shot four over yesterday and it was down to the greens. I putted terrible. Today I got the good greens early and managed to hole some putts. It was very blustery over the putts and I needed to back off some putts and tee shots. It was tricky.
It’s a good position.
"I will probably be a few back and need to chase and try to make an impact. I just wanted to get back into the tournament."
Indian Shiv Kapur, who birdied the first, second and fourth but dropped a shot on the fifth before picking one up on the seventh led on eight under par.
Kapur was one shot ahead of Lawrie, who parred the first four holes but dropped a shot on the fifth.
There was also a big move from England's Richard Bland who was first out and, playing on his own, shot a 67.
"Hopefully the wind stays up to give me a shout," said Bland.
"I've not played on my own in a tournament before, but you don't worry about pace of play and it was a leisurely stroll around - lovely.
"It was only the last four holes that the wind really picked up. I was hoping for one more birdie from the 16th and 18th (both par fives), but I'll take 67."
Highlight of his round was a 20-footer for eagle on the driveable 12th, still reduced from 445 yards to 280 because of the wet fairway.
Defending champion Gregory Havret matched his round to be five under as well and Colin Montgomerie summed up how well those three had played by saying he thought any sub-par score was good in the conditions.
The Ryder Cup captain, another on level par at halfway, overcame a third lost ball of the week at the third to return a 72.
