Ludvig Åberg will take a two-shot lead into the final round of the Scottish Open but Ryder Cup teammate Bob MacIntyre will be breathing down his neck in search of an emotional win on home soil.
Åberg started the day with a one-shot advantage at The Renaissance Club but trailed MacIntyre by two on the back nine as the Scot carded a 63 to delight the local fans and catapult himself up the leaderboard.
The Swede then birdied the 16th and 17th, however, to sign for a 65 and get to 17 under as he searches for a first Rolex Series victory.
The home fans will be rooting for MacIntyre after he was denied victory last year by a birdie-birdie finish capped by a stunning second into the last from Rory McIlroy but Ryder Cup team-mate Åberg has looked unlikely to stumble in rounds of 64-64-65 so far.
Adam Scott carded a 64 alongside MacIntyre to sit at 14 under, a shot clear of American duo Collin Morikawa and Sahith Theegala, South Korea’s Sungjae Im and Frenchman Antoine Rozner.
Åberg said: “It wasn’t the most stress-free round of golf but it was a good score again. I’m pleased with the way I hung in there. I felt like I was swinging well and hitting the putts the way I wanted to and tried to read them. I like looking at leaderboards. I think it’s important to know where you’re standing, and I did that today, and I saw some really good scores early on. It makes you hungry and it makes you stay on the front foot and be aggressive, and felt like I did that well today. Looks like I’m playing the final round with Bob, so it will be a cool pairing and I’m looking forward to it.”
MacIntyre said: “I’m delighted. Overall I played absolutely brilliantly. Tee-to-green was solid again. Rolled the putter beautifully. Just got to let it happen. It’s brilliant to come home and have the home support. From the start I said I just want to be in with a chance going into Sunday and I’ve done that.
“I can only control me and I’ve controlled myself very well so far. I have 18 holes to control myself even more. I’ve not been shy in saying that the Scottish Open is the one I want. It’s not going to change tomorrow.”
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