Scott four back at Australian Masters

Defending champion Adam Scott admitted Saturday that he was "battling" at the Australian Masters as he moved to within four shots of the lead going into the final round.

"I've been a little cautious but I can't afford to be tomorrow," Scott said

MELBOURNE, 22 Nov 2014 (AFP) - 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."

Leading scores after the third round of the Australian Masters at the Metropolitan course (par-72) in Melbourne on Saturday (Australia unless stated):

208 - Paul Spargo 70-67-71

209 - Michael Wright 67-68-74

210 - Lucas Herbert (Am) 75-70-65, Nick Cullen 73-71-66, James Nitties 72-71-67

211 - Geoff Ogilvy 69-71-71, Josh Younger 70-70-71

212 - Chris Campbell 72-74-66, Nick O'Hern 76-69-67, Adam Bland 75-68-69, Kim Felton 71-70-71, Adam Scott 73-68-71, Aron Price 68-73-71, Matthew Griffin 71-69-72, Matthew Guyatt 70-69-73

213 - Rohan Blizard 74-71-68, Matthew Millar 74-70-69, Brett Rumford 74-68-71, Daniel Valente 72-70-71, Jarrod Lyle 72-70-71, Bryden Macpherson 70-71-72, Peter Wilson 70-71-72, Mathew Goggin 71-69-73

214 - Zac Blair (USA) 70-75-69, Stephen Dartnall 72-73-69, Andrew Martin 71-73-70, Boo Weekley (USA) 72-72-70, Benjamin Clementson 74-70-70, Robert Allenby 70-73-71, Tom Bond 70-72-72, Anthony Houston 71-68-75

Selected scores:

215 - Kyle Stanley (USA) 69-73-73

219 - Jin Jeong (KOR) 73-70-76

222 - Riley Wheeldon (CAN) 71-70-81