Colin Montgomerie insisted he can fulfil his Open dream by emulating the wondrous feat of Justin Leonard at Royal Troon in 1997.

The Scot shot a one-over-par 72 in his third round to enter the final round on three under for the tournament, five shots off the lead, after bogeying the 18th for the second day running.

Above him on the leaderboard are some of golf's big guns, including major winners Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson, Retief Goosen, Tiger Woods as well as eight-under-par leader Todd Hamilton.

But Montgomerie believes he is capable of shooting a 65 tomorrow, which is exactly the score which saw American Leonard come from five behind to win by three shots seven years ago.

"Justin Leonard was a long way behind and he shot 65 on the final day to win so why can't I?" said Montgomerie.

"I can hit a 66 or a 65, but I need to be at least two under after four holes tomorrow and the crowd will get right behind me."

Montgomerie admitted he had produced his worst golf of the week in a third round in which he scrapped and battled to stay in the hunt for the prize he covets most.

After two birdies and two bogeys in the opening nine somehow he prised 10 straight pars which included a 'miracle' bunker shot on the par-three 14th, before bogeying the par-five 18th for the second day in a row.

"It was a miracle to get a par out of the 14th," said Montgomerie. "When I saw the lie I just told my caddie to pray. Pars on 12 and 13 were also fabulous and I'd hit the same putt again on 18. If I see the action replay I'm sure it would go in."

Montgomerie, however, admitted he was satisfied with his 72 after a round in which he visited parts of Royal Troon even he has not seen in 25 years playing his home-town course.

"I found myself in some funny positions and I didn't hit many greens but I got it round," he said.

"But anyone who says this is fun is having a laugh. This is a job, a hard one. This is not fun. It's a job and a horrible one at this stage."