Britain's Graeme McDowell and Simon Khan shared the lead after the Scottish Open third round while the cream of world golf waited to pounce.McDowell (pictured), third in last week's European Open at the London Club, kept up his excellent form with a five-under 66 for 203 while Englishman Khan hit five birdies in a 68 to join the Northern Irishman on 10 under par.
Two strokes adrift were European Open champion Ross Fisher (68), order of merit leader Miguel Angel Jimenez (68) of Spain, India's Jeev Milkha Singh (69) and Australian left-hander Richard Green (70).
World number three Adam Scott and European Ryder Cup points leader Lee Westwood were in a group on 206 while twice former winner Ernie Els and second-ranked Phil Mickelson also retained slim title hopes on 208 and 209 respectively.
"I am not really going to be focused hard on who is one back, two ahead, whatever," McDowell said. "I have to go and play my own game tomorrow.
"The last few holes are probably one of the best finishes in European golf. I really love this place, it rewards good play and it's just a great venue."
A fresh breeze and cool conditions meant scoring was difficult on the banks of Loch Lomond but it seemed to make little difference to McDowell, winner of the European Tour-sanctioned Ballantine's Championship in South Korea in March.
The 28-year-old had two birdies in a flawless outward half of 34 before charging to the top of the leaderboard at the British Open warm-up event with three more birdies and an eagle coming home.
The highlight of McDowell's round was a two at the 371-yard 14th where he cracked a majestic drive within eight feet of the hole before converting his eagle putt.
"I played really solid again today and kept hitting fairways and greens," he said. "There must be 10 or 12 players with a chance of winning tomorrow so it'll be nice to be in the mix."
Khan, whose solitary tour victory came at the 2004 Wales Open, claimed five birdies and two bogeys in his round.
His effort came as something of a bolt from the blue, with the 36-year-old occupying a lowly 98th spot on the order of merit having already missed six cuts this season.
"I am really pleased with the round," said Khan. "I knew the pins would be tucked away and going for the middle of the green, 20-odd feet away was a good shot a lot of the time.
"I am just going to go out and try to enjoy myself tomorrow. That is what I haven't been doing for probably the last year or so.
"When I have been in good positions I have just tried a bit too hard. Sometimes you can just push it away when you want it too bad."
Two triple bogeys on the back nine proved costly for Argentina's Angel Cabrera as the overnight leader struggled to a 78 for 211.
Two strokes adrift were European Open champion Ross Fisher (68), order of merit leader Miguel Angel Jimenez (68) of Spain, India's Jeev Milkha Singh (69) and Australian left-hander Richard Green (70).
World number three Adam Scott and European Ryder Cup points leader Lee Westwood were in a group on 206 while twice former winner Ernie Els and second-ranked Phil Mickelson also retained slim title hopes on 208 and 209 respectively.
"I am not really going to be focused hard on who is one back, two ahead, whatever," McDowell said. "I have to go and play my own game tomorrow.
"The last few holes are probably one of the best finishes in European golf. I really love this place, it rewards good play and it's just a great venue."
A fresh breeze and cool conditions meant scoring was difficult on the banks of Loch Lomond but it seemed to make little difference to McDowell, winner of the European Tour-sanctioned Ballantine's Championship in South Korea in March.
The 28-year-old had two birdies in a flawless outward half of 34 before charging to the top of the leaderboard at the British Open warm-up event with three more birdies and an eagle coming home.
The highlight of McDowell's round was a two at the 371-yard 14th where he cracked a majestic drive within eight feet of the hole before converting his eagle putt.
"I played really solid again today and kept hitting fairways and greens," he said. "There must be 10 or 12 players with a chance of winning tomorrow so it'll be nice to be in the mix."
Khan, whose solitary tour victory came at the 2004 Wales Open, claimed five birdies and two bogeys in his round.
His effort came as something of a bolt from the blue, with the 36-year-old occupying a lowly 98th spot on the order of merit having already missed six cuts this season.
"I am really pleased with the round," said Khan. "I knew the pins would be tucked away and going for the middle of the green, 20-odd feet away was a good shot a lot of the time.
"I am just going to go out and try to enjoy myself tomorrow. That is what I haven't been doing for probably the last year or so.
"When I have been in good positions I have just tried a bit too hard. Sometimes you can just push it away when you want it too bad."
Two triple bogeys on the back nine proved costly for Argentina's Angel Cabrera as the overnight leader struggled to a 78 for 211.
Source: Yahoo!sports.
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