Bob MacIntyre in BMW PGA mix after 14 single-putt salvo at Wentworth

The Scottish No 1 started the day sitting eight shots off the halfway lead and needed something tasty to get himself in the mix at the Surrey venue. A six-under-par 66 was just what the doctor ordered. Moving him to ten under par, he’s now just three shots off the pace.

After both making birdies at the par-5 18th, Spaniard Manuel Elvira and Italian Filippo Celli lead the way, with 2025 US Open champion JJ Spaun sitting one behind along with fellow American Johannes Veerman and Spaniard Alejandro Del Ray.

Helped by a crowd-pleasing eagle to finish after hitting a majestic 230-yard approach to just over a foot, 2014 winner Rory McIlroy is lurking ominously a shot further back, with his fellow Masters champion Adam Scott and current Open champion Ryan Fox others in contention along with MacIntyre.

“Thankfully I can putt because I can’t hit an iron shot to save my life,” declared the Scottish No 1 as he assessed his day’s work, which included an eagle at the par-5 13th and three birdies on the spin to finish. I hit some unbelievable shots, but I also hit some of the worst possible golf shots you can hit.”

The two-time Ryder Cup player jumped more than 20 spots up the leaderboard to give himself a chance to land a first Scottish success in this event since Scott Drummond in 2004. “I mean, I think I had 14 one-putts,” he added, smiling. “Yeah, I used to make the game so simple by hitting the middle of greens and feeling stress-free, but now it is stressful.”

Playing alongside MacIntyre, Veerman shot a 64, matching an earlier effort from Norwegian Kristoffer Reitan, who has Edinburgh man Tim Poyser on his bag, before Del Rey did likewise. In blustery conditions on the West Course, they were all splendid performances and, on a day when the later starters seemed to stutter somewhat, MacIntyre joined them up near the top of the leaderboard just after lunchtime.

“I mean, that’s as good a six under par as I have shot in a long time,” declared the world No 19, who is making his eighth appearance in this tournament, with a tie for 12th two years ago being his best effort so far. “Three of the 9-irons I hit were horrific. One at 13, one at 14 and then, of course, you have the next one at 15 with a 9-iron and it was horrific as well. But I scrambled well and putted beautifully. Yeah, six under and I’m in a good position now. I needed something like that to get me in with somewhat of a chance.”

While most of his single putts were for par saves, MacIntyre holed a six-footer for an opening birdie before converting a 20-footer for his third eagle in two days. His gains at both the 16th and 17th were from close range before converting an 11-footer at the last, where he made a brilliant up and down from close to the hospitality suite at the left of the green.

“Yeah, I’ve just changed coaches and we are trying to do things and I don’t feel comfortable with what I am doing,” he replied to being asked if his irons not being as sharp as he’d like was due to a technical issue. “Saying that, I am standing on that golf course facing some of the toughest shots and I’m hitting my best shots.

“Like the 12th today, for example. It was wind into slightly out of the right and I am hitting a 4-iron with out of bounds left and long and I hit it to 20 feet.

I think there is a bit of a mental block, but there are so many positive signs like that shot and also my wedge into 16. There’s signs of it being there, but it’s frustrating. I’ve shot six under today through putting unbelievable and you can’t complain about that, but I would like it a little bit less stress-free.”

Though this event has thrown up some surprise winners over the years - Drummond was certainly one Andrew Oldcorn as well when he landed the circuit’s flagship title in 2001 - the likes of Elvira and Celli will definitely be wary of McIlroy in particular being up near the top of the leaderboard.

“Basically a similar shot to what I had yesterday,” said the world No 2 of his sensational blow with a 4-iron at the last. “Just needed to stand up and make a good, committed swing, and I did. And obviously a great way to finish the day and keep myself within touching distance of the leaders.”

With Race to Dubai leader Patrick Reed pulling out during Friday’’s secind round due to a wrist injury, McIlroy can either jump above the American by finishing first or second or considerably close the gap in his bid to land a record-equalling eighth Harry Vardon Trophy triumph.

“I have a big opportunity tomorrow on both fronts,” admitted the Wentworth resident, smiling. “I'd love to win this tournament again. It's been a long time, 12 years. I have so many great memories of Wentworth in general. I came here for the first time as a ten-year-old to watch the World Match Play. Fast forward, I've won this event. I've played a lot here and we now have a house on the estate as well. This place has a lot of history for me. Hopefully I have a good chance and give myself a real chance at it again.”

Battling to retain his DP World Tour card, David Law sits joint-43rd on five under after signing for a 71 that contained two birdies in the last four holes. Ewen Ferguson, the other Scot to make the cut, is alongside the Aberdonian after a third-round 70.