Date: July 13, 2008
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Scott hot on tail of leaders

Australian pair Adam Scott and Richard Green are within reach of a confidence-boosting victory in Scotland just days out from the British Open. Green shot a third-round 70 to move to eight-under-par, two shots from co-leaders Simon Khan (68) and Graeme McDowell (66). Scott, one of the favourite&aposs for next week&aposs major at Royal Birkdale, produced a moving-day 68 to rocket to seven-under the card. It was a superb recovery from Scott, the world No.3, who began the tournament with a triple bogey seven on his opening hole and is playing with a broken bone in his right hand. Northern Ireland&aposs McDowell is targeting his second European Tour title of the season and with it a Ryder Cup debut. McDowell&aposs 66 leaves him with a 10-under-par total of 203 and tied with Englishman Khan. Ross Fisher, winner of the European Open on Sunday, is two shots behind in a share of third place with Spain&aposs Miguel Angel Jimenez, India&aposs Jeev Milkha Singh and Green. McDowell currently occupies the final automatic qualifying place for Nick Faldo&aposs team to defend the Ryder Cup at Valhalla in September, but victory on Sunday would guarantee him a place in the side. “It&aposs certainly in there in the back of my mind, maybe somewhere up near the front actually,” admitted McDowell, who carded two bogeys, five birdies and holed from seven feet for an eagle on the short 14th after driving the green. “Obviously if I was to win tomorrow I realise what that would mean but it&aposs not going to help me with the shots I&aposm going to play. If I don&apost make the team it&aposs not going to kill me, I&aposm young and I&aposll have other chances. It&aposs not the be all and end all.” One place in next week&aposs Open is still up for grabs for the leading non-exempt player, providing they finish in the top five, and Khan admits he is desperate to secure his place at Birkdale. “It&aposs definitely been on my mind, it&aposs going to be a great Open next week,” said the 36-year-old from Essex, who fired five birdies and two bogeys in his 68. “I played at Hoylake in 2006 and the fans were great, I really enjoyed their humour.” “My wife is also from Liverpool and I have grandparents in Lytham St Annes so a lot of connections with the area.” The remaining Australians in the field – Matthew Millar (70) and Scott Strange (77) – are even and two-over-par respectively. Third Round of the Scottish Open (Par 71): -10: Simon Khan 69 66 68, Graeme McDowell 67 70 66 -8: Ross Fisher 68 69 68, Richard Green (Australia) 67 68 70, Miguel Angel Jimenez 68 69 68, Jeev Milkha Singh 68 68 69 -7: Fredrik Andersson Hed 70 67 69, Thongchai Jaidee 64 71 71, David Lynn 69 67 70, Ian Poulter 69 69 68, Adam Scott (Australia) 72 66 68, Lee Westwood 67 69 70 -6: Christian Cevaer 70 67 70, Robert Dinwiddie 68 68 71, Oliver Wilson 71 66 70, James Kingston 70 70 67, Paul Lawrie 68 67 72, Rory McIlroy 70 69 68 Also: -3: Mark Brown (New Zealand) 73 66 71 E: Matthew Millar (Australia) 72 64 77 +2: Scott Strange (Australia) 70 68 77