Adam Scott has warned Australian Golf Open title hopefuls to brace themselves for five hours of mental torture in Sunday's final-round shootout for the Stonehaven Cup.
Australian golfer Adam Scott Photo: Photosport
Scott emerged from a dramatic third round just one shot off the lead, while Rory McIlroy's quest for back-to-back championships seems over.
Halfway leader Greg Chalmers ground out an even-par 71 in testing conditions to remain on top, with Brett Rumford and American ace Jordan Spieth carding 69s to join the two-time champion at five under for the tournament.
Scott and veteran Rod Pampling also signed for 69s to be tied fourth at four under - but McIlroy imploded to be six shots off the pace.
The world No.1 had a triple-bogey and double-bogey in back-to-back holes mid-round to plummet from a share of the lead into a tie for 14th at one over after a Saturday-shocker 76.
Only eight players ended the round in red figures as blustery winds and baking greens turned so-called moving day into grinding day.
And Scott was predicting more of the same on Sunday as 23 players within six strokes of the lead battle it.
"In these conditions, it's going to take an incredible round just to make sure you're in with a chance the last few holes," he said.
Of the frontrunners, Scott will carry the momentum into the final round after rebounding doggedly from a horror five-over start on the front nine on Thursday.
After the third round, Ryan Fox was the best placed New Zealander in a tie for 9th at even par.
