Australian golfers Adam Scott and John Senden will have work to do but still remain in contention after the third round of the US PGA Championship.
The Aussie duo finished at 2-under-par 208, five back from American's Jason Dufner and Brendan Steele who lead at 7-under 203.
Keegan Bradley is third a shot back at 6-under 204, Scott Verplank fourth at 5-under 205 and first round leader Steve Stricker is fifth at 4-under 206.
Senden started on fire by sinking a six-foot birdie putt on the first hole, moving him to a share of the lead.
But some miscued shots on the third hole resulted in a bogey and when he pulled the ball into the water on the eighth hole he once again dropped a shot.
The Queenslander kept his positive outlook and had eagle putts on back-to-back holes, the par five 12th and drivable par four 13th.
Unfortunately both burned the edge of the cup but the resulting birdies sent the 40-year-old back up into the top echelon of the leaderboard.
It was short-lived however, as he bogeyed three of the final five holes to fall back to 2-under.
"I'm not out of it but I'll need to get on a run early tomorrow," Senden said.
"I felt good down the front nine but I had some little mistakes that slowed me down a little bit."
Scott's round was scattered with missed opportunities. The Queenslander was looking solid after a birdie on the third hole and when his approach on the eighth stopped hole high and six feet away, a move up the pack looked likely.
But he missed the birdie putt by playing too much break and then had a mini disaster on the ninth.
Despite hitting the fairway from the tee and an approach to three feet, Scott then three-putted from the short distance to drop a shot.
He managed to birdie the 13th hole after driving the green and two-putting but bogeyed the tough par-three 15th.
"I had my chances there on the front nine," Scott admitted.
"If I would have converted eight and nine and headed to 10 at 3-under for the day, I could have been setting myself up for a great round and put myself right there."
The Australian's will be paired together for the final round in an all Queensland group, allowing for a team-like atmosphere as they attack the course.
Robert Allenby, the only other Australian left in the field, carded a 1-over 71 to be 3-over and tied 43rd.
AAP
Tags: golf, sport, australia, united-states First posted August 14, 2011 07:05:54
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