MELBOURNE - Defending champion Adam Scott admitted on Saturday that he was "battling" at the Australian Masters as he moved to within four shots of the lead going into the final round.
Adam Scott of Australia, pictured during a golf tournament at the East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia, on September 13, 2014
Scott, chasing his third straight Masters title, said he plans on attacking the pin early in Sunday's final round in Melbourne to put the heat on the front-runners.
Australian Paul Spargo is the leader at eight-under par, one shot clear of fellow countryman Michael Wright, who led over the first two rounds.
Despite being four shots off the lead Scott, the 2013 Augusta Masters champion, still feels he is a strong chance of triumphing.
Scott fired a one-under 71 in the third round to sit four-under on 212 and admitted he was "battling" to find any momentum so far in the tournament.
"If I can get off to a fast start and post a (low) number it will make them (leaders) think," Scott said. "There's some tough finishing holes here.
"I need to get bolder. I've been a little cautious but I can't afford to be tomorrow."
Spargo has had good recent form finishing tied for third at last month's Western Australian Open.
"The more you put yourself up there in contention and playing with the leaders you get used to it so all the experience will definitely help," Spargo said.
"I've come a long way in a couple of years and my game's been good so I've done my time and this is the next step."