Robert MacIntyre remains in contention to win the Genesis Scottish Open on home soil.
A year after narrowly losing the tournament to Rory McRoy's last-minute heroics, Scotland's McIntyre gets another chance to claim his coveted title in the final round.
On Saturday at the Renaissance Club, he played his third round in erratic conditions with a 63, his lowest score of the day, finishing two shots behind Ryder Cup teammate Ludvig Aberg.
McIntyre's reaction on the 17th hole
Everg followed up his back-to-back 64s with a 65 to finish at 17 under, MacIntyre was at 15 under and former world number one Adam Scott was a stroke behind after shooting a 64 alongside the home favorite.
Defending champion McRoy enters the final round five strokes behind the leader after a disappointing third round of 67.
A three-putt bogey on the 18th hole didn't derail MacIntyre's day, as the left-hander raced through the field with an eagle and seven birdies in front of a rousing home crowd.
“The last hole is a tricky hole. Whether it's calm, downwind, windy, and the pin is on the top shelf, it's even harder,” MacIntyre said.
“But overall I played really well. Tee to green was solid again, putter rolled beautifully. I just had to let it happen, and it did.
“I said it without hesitation. The Scottish Open is what I want. That's my ultimate goal. I said it at the beginning of the week. For my entire career, the Scottish Open is what I want on my CV.
“I just have to play golf and let it happen. I can't force it, there are so many great players chasing me in tournaments. I can only control myself, and I've controlled myself very well so far.
“Playing 18 holes helped me gain more control over myself.”
On Day 3, McRoy felt he could have easily been two or three strokes better, and the world No. 2 finished the first 10 holes at four under before recording seven straight pars and a bogey on the 18th.
Rory McIlroy, preparing to open
“I was running out of birdies,” said McRoy, competing for the first time since narrowly missing a fifth major title at the U.S. Open.
“I kept hitting good shots, especially the last few holes. I hit three 8-footers for birdie on 15, 16 and 17, but I just couldn't convert them and I think that's why I had a bogey on the last hole.
“So the last four holes I played the worst I could have, and that was unfortunate. I felt like I could have been 15 under with the leader. To give one up on the last hole was disappointing.
“But if you're going to be in the top three or four and get off to a good start, you'll at least have a chance. It's another opportunity to try to win a very prestigious tournament with a lot of history.”
McRoy could find his next chance to end a drought that has lasted since 2014 at next week's Open at Royal Troon, saying: “It's easy to be patient when you know the game is over.
“It's easy to be patient when you know you'll have one eye this week and one eye next week.
“But I want to get started tomorrow and start next week.”
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Antoine Rosner hit a stunning approach shot on the seventh hole to earn an eagle at the Genesis Scottish Open.
Everg initially responded well to MacIntyre's onslaught, recording birdies on the first, third, sixth and 10th holes, but bogeys on the 11th and 12th dropped him two holes behind in the rankings.
But the world number four birdied the 13th hole from distance and followed up with shots on the 16th and 17th to reclaim the lead.
“It wasn't the most stress-free golf, but it was a good score again,” said Everg, who missed the cut at last year's Scottish Open, his fifth tournament as a pro.
“I felt like I was doing well. I hit the shots I wanted to, and of course I had bogeys on 11 and 12, but those things happen when you play a 72-hole golf tournament. You can't be perfect all the time.
“But I'm happy with the way I held on and finished. When that putt goes in on the 13th, it gives me a little bit of extra momentum and I'm looking forward to the final round.
“I think it'll be a great combination because it seems like we'll be playing with rice as well.”
Watch the Genesis Scottish Open Round 4 live. Sky Sports Golf Stream PGA Tour, majors and more on NOW starting Sunday at 3pm before the 152nd Open at Royal Troon, July 18-21.
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