World No.7 Adam Scott will use the final-round of the Honda Classic to fine-tune his scratchy swing ahead of next week's World Golf Championship event in Mexico.
Scott plunged out of contention with a one-over-par 71 at the PGA Tour's West Palm Beach event in Florida, leaving him at two under and 11 shots behind Rickie Fowler.
The American raced out to a four-shot lead during Saturday's third round after carding a brilliant five-under 65 to climb to a 54-hole total of 13 under.
The 28-year-old Fowler will start Sunday's final day with a four-shot cushion over England's Tyrrell Hatton (nine under).
Scott - the 2016 Honda Classic winner - hit just eight from 18 greens in regulation during an uncharacteristic ballstriking performance.
"I hit the ball poorly today; I didn't play well at all," said Scott, who shares 39th place.
But the 36-year-old Scott aims to iron out the wrinkles on Sunday before next week's WGC Mexico, where he's also the defending champion.
"Hopefully I'll play a solid round of golf from tee to green because I'm really good when I'm on the putting surface," said Scott.
"My short game has been getting a workout. It's held up well so it'd be nice to have a lot of (birdie) looks."
Marc Leishman finished Saturday as the leading Australian, tied for 20th, after mounting a brave comeback from two over early in his round.
The Victorian ground out a two-under 68 and his five-under tournament score allows a chance for a final-round charge.
"It's a course where I know bogeys were going to happen, so I was able to stay calm and come back with some good shots," said Leishman.
"If I have a low one on Sunday it's going to go a long way up the leaderboard."
Perth native Greg Chalmers rounded out the Australian contingent, struggling to a three-over 73 to finish two over in a tie for 63rd.
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