Oliver Wilson was swiftly caught by Louis Oosthuizen as the final round of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship began at St Andrews.
Nine-time European Tour runner-up Wilson, who lost his card at the end of 2012, looked on course for a fairytale maiden victory when he established a three shot lead with a 65 on Saturday.
But a bogey at the fourth saw him caught on 14 under by Oosthuizen, who was once again demonstrating his love of The Old Course.
Four years after winning The Open Championship at this venue, the South African – who shot a third round 62 here yesterday to move into contention – fired a hat-trick of birdies from the second and gained another shot after firing his approach to five feet at the sixth.
Six players were tied for third a shot further back, amongst them World Number One Rory McIlroy.
The Northern Irishman dropped two shots at the first after his approach finished in the ditch in front of the green, but recovered with a hat-trick of birdies.
The four-time Major winner sank putts from 15 feet at the second, ten feet at the third and 12 feet at fourth to join American Ryan Palmer, Scot Richie Ramsay, Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen and English pair Chris Wood and Tommy Fleetwood.
