Adam Scott picked a bad time to have his first over-par round of the year, turning a two-shot halfway lead into a three-shot deficit at the World Golf Championships event at Trump National Doral.
Scott headed straight to the range post round, trying to find a way to get his precision back overnight as he spots a healthy cushion to world No.3 Rory McIlroy on the Blue Monster course.
The Australian could only muster a one-over-73 on Saturday as McIlroy surged with a four-under-68 to wrestle away control of the tournament.
The Northern Irishman pushed to 12 under for the week and will be hard to beat as he looks for a third WGC title and 20th worldwide win.
Overnight leader Scott dropped to nine under, now tied second and three off the pace heading into the final round.
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Fresh off winning the US PGA tour Honda Classic last week and being runner-up in Los Angeles the week before, Scott is gunning for his second career WGC title, 13th US tour title and 26th worldwide win.
But on Saturday he lamented some lost rhythm and a cold putter, making just one putt outside of six feet all day.
"It was a bit average today. I didn't have my best stuff, that's for sure, and just couldn't get a putt to go in," Scott said.
"It was one of those days, unfortunately, and Rory played really good golf and got away from me a bit. I've got my work cut out for me tomorrow now."
Scott vowed to apply the blowtorch to his fellow former world No.1.
"Getting off to a good start is going to be key," he said.
"Someone's got to quickly put a little pressure on Rory - someone's got to go with him - so I'll be focused on the first three or four holes and try to set my round up from there."
Defending champion Dustin Johnson carded a 71 to join Scott as the main challengers three off the pace.
England's Danny Willett (72) and American major winners Phil Mickelson (70) and Bubba Watson (71) share fourth at seven under.
Marc Leishman fired a 69 to move to one under overall, the only other Australian in the field to be under par in a tie for 23rd.
World No.2 Jason Day fired his first under-par round of the tournament with a 71 moving him to one over.
Marcus Fraser, Jordan Zunic, Nathan Holman, Scott Hend and Steven Bowditch are well out of contention.
