The Scottish charge failed to materialise as both Paul Lawrie and Marc Warren lost ground on the Open leaders at St Andrews yesterday.
Lawrie, the 1999 Open champion, started the day in third position but heads into today’s final round six shots behind the leaders after a two-over 74 for 210.
The Aberdonian looked set for a 72 before taking a costly double bogey at the 17th Road Hole. He refused to blame a spectator who took a picture while he was teeing off for his failure to make par.
He said: “It was on my back swing when it went off. I probably could have stopped but I kept going. It didn’t make a difference. It shouldn’t happen but now and again you get people out there who are not golf followers and they take a picture on your back swing. Even with the camera going off, that didn’t make me make 6.”
The 46-year-old came from 10 shots behind to win the Claret Jug at Car-noustie 16 years ago but believes he has given himself too much ground to make up at the Old Course.
Warren, who shot a level par 72 to remain on seven under, was also disappointed with his round.
He said: “The crowds were great to us. I would have loved to have given them a few more birdies to cheer. Hopefully, I’m saving them all for tomorrow.”