Jason Day has carded the low round of the day to drag himself into red numbers in an otherwise disappointing British Open performance.
Australia's former world No.1 started and finished with bogeys but bagged five birdies in between - including three in a row from the 14th to 16th holes - in a three-under-par 68 to finish at two under at Carnoustie.
With the leaders at nine under and due to tee off later on Sunday in increasing winds, Day pressed hard to post a number that might have held up Paul Lawrie-style in 1999 on the famously difficult Scottish links.
"It's starting to get a little bit breezier too which should make it a little bit tougher for the guys. The 18th's playing tough," he said.
"Once I got it to three under, I was trying to birdie the last three holes.
"That would have been nice to get in at six (under). You just never know from there; you're only three shots back.
"Unfortunately I bogeyed the last hole and didn't get the other birdies, but I'm pretty happy with how I played."
Ultimately, though, it's the third straight year the 2015 US PGA champion hasn't been in the mix on championship Sunday.
"It's clearly a little bit disappointing to not even give myself a shot at getting into contention," Day said.
"But there's a lot of positives from today. It was good to be able to get into the red and beat this course, which is nice."
The world No.9 will now shift his focus towards the WGC Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club in Ohio in a fortnight before having another crack at next month's PGA Championship at Bellerive Country Club in Missouri.
