Swedish sensation Ludvig Aberg will go into the final round of the Scottish Open with a two-shot lead over home contender Robert MacIntyre.
MacIntyre carded a third-round score of 63 at the Renaissance Club on Saturday to keep the pressure on European Ryder Cup teammate Aberg.
Aberg (24) followed consecutive rounds of 64 with a 65 to reach 17 under par, with Scotland’s MacIntyre on 15 under after the lowest score of the day.
Former world No 1 Adam Scott sits third after a round of 64 left him 14 under par.
France’s Antoine Rozner, South Korea’s Im Sung-jae and American duo Sahith Theegala and Collin Morikawa are all four shots adrift of Aberg on 13 under par.
Defending champion Rory McIlroy heads into Sunday’s final round five shots off the lead after a frustrating round of 67 alongside Italian Matteo Manassero and South Africa’s Erik van Rooyen.
Van Rooyen’s bogey-free round of 64 included six birdies.
Even a three-putt bogey on the 18th could not take the shine off MacIntyre’s day after he notched an eagle and seven birdies in front of a partisan home crowd.
“Overall I played absolutely brilliantly. Tee to green was solid again, rolled the putter beautifully. I’ve just got to let it happen, and it happened,” he said.
“I’ve not been shy in saying it, the Scottish Open is the one that I want. That’s my end goal.
“I can’t force it, there’s so many good players in the tournament chasing me down. I can only control me and I’ve controlled myself very well so far.”
For the third day running, McIlroy felt he could easily have been two or three shots better off.
The world No 2 covered his first 10 holes in four under before a run of seven straight pars and a bogey on the 18th.
“The birdies dried up,” admitted McIlroy, who is competing for the first time since his late collapse at the US Open cost him a fifth Major title.
“I’ll be within a few shots [of the lead] and at least still have a chance if I get off to a good start.”
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