Adam Scott must scale a formidable mountain on Sunday if he is to add a second Australian PGA Championship to his keeping as the world number seven failed to keep pace with the leaders in his third round at Royal Pines.
The Gold Coast favourite found the water twice on the back nine but still managed to be within four shots of leader Andrew Dodt, who largely held his nerve to to lead the tournament at 14 under, two ahead of American Harold Varner III and Victorian Ash Hall.
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Scott took his score to 10 under with an eagle on the par five ninth before bogies on 10 and 13 saw him peak on his run and card a 70, while Dodt gave the chasing pack a sniff with a bogey on 18 that could yet prove costly for the Queenslander.
Varner III was the eye-catcher on moving day as he rebounded from a flat even-par second round to card a 67 that included a pair of eagles on the back. He spectacularly holed out with his pitch onto the par four 17th before giving one back with a bogey on 18.
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"Eagles are good ... I had two of those in the last four. I hit the pin on 17 but I'm just glad it's over with and now we've got tomorrow," Varner III said.
"When it's this windy you just want to stay in it. That's what I tried to do."
The tricky greens and swirling winds made it difficult for any players to sustain a run in the afternoon, although Englishman Steve Webster managed to put together five-straight to finish his front nine and end the day with a brilliant 65 that took him to six under.
Scott had driven the ball with authority all week but the radar was off a fraction on Sunday, with the water beckoning twice. But the 2013 champion feels as if he's right in the hunt going into the final round despite some wobbles.
"I hit two in the water, there's no escaping that. As long as Harold doesn't hole every other shot tomorrow I'm in with a chance. There's not that many in front but I'm going to have to go out and post a good number," Scott said.
"With the greens this slow you can afford to be quite aggressive. I threw a few back there which felt good. Hopefully I can make a few tomorrow."
Dodt had the overnight lead and staved off all challengers throughout the day with another impressive showing. Whether he can maintain that through the pressure of a final round, with a former US Masters champion on his hammer, remains to be seen.
The 30-year-old admitted he had allowed himself to dream about a win in what would be the biggest moment of his career but remains determined to keep his mind on the task at hand.
"I thought I was really solid again. This would be one of my biggest achievements, I've thought about it a couple of times this week but have been careful not to get ahead of myself," he said.
Play was just completed on Saturday as yet another menacing storm loomed over the Gold Coast. The conditions were oppressive from the moment the sun came up, with humidity at 85 per cent by 10am before the breeze provided some relief.
With more rain on the course late on Saturday, the greens will be even softer for the final round. Players have struggled to read them all week and whoever rises to the occasion with the putter on Sunday could be walking away with the Joe Kirkwood Cup.
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