 DiMarco has had an arduous year of injury and bereavement |
American Chris DiMarco believes that divine intervention is keeping him in contention at Hoylake as a third-round 69 left him one off the Open lead. DiMarco's mother died recently and he told BBC Sport: "I know she's with me.
"It was scary, we got on the tee and our scorer's name was Norma, my mom's name. I've got someone watching over me, I have a peace about me this week."
DiMarco, twice beaten in major play-offs, sank a 25-footer on the third and made five birdies.
"The fairways are fast and they're getting kind of sandy so you've really got to be careful with the shots you're hitting," he said. "But I'm hitting some great iron shots and I put myself in a good position.
"I don't know how many times you're going to have in a lifetime to win majors, to have a chance on the final day was what the goal was."
Former US Open champion Jim Furyk played himself into Open contention at Royal Liverpool with a third-round 66.
The American started with four birdies in his first seven holes and briefly claimed a share of the lead on 11 under after picking up shots at 10 and 11.
 Furyk tied for second at this year's US Open at Winged Foot |
That was where he stayed after birdies at the 16th and 17th cancelled out dropped shots at 12 and 14.
Countryman Mark Calcavecchia, champion at Royal Troon in 1989, is on nine under thanks to a second successive 68.
The 46-year-old had seven birdies - including one at the last - and three bogeys.
Furyk, 36, and playing partner Sergio Garcia both had sparkling starts to their rounds.
The former claimed his sixth birdie of the day, and a share of the lead, with a 15-footer on the 393-yard 11th.
But his momentum slowed with a bogey at the next, with another at 14.
"Sergio and I fed off each other on the front nine," Furyk told BBC Sport. "I just wish it continued on the back nine.
"I have played poorly here for so many years and I have really put in a lot of effort to play better without seeing a lot of results.
"I've done a better job adapting to the conditions and I was really in control of my game. I am really excited about the final day."
Masters champion Phil Mickelson had a day to forget, carding three bogeys in succession in a 73 to slip to a share of 39th place.
"I didn't play well enough to make birdies," he said.
"You just have to make some putts out there because it is hard to get the ball five feet from the hole. You have to make some 15 to 30-footers and I just didn't do it.
Mickelson finished with an eagle and said of the final day: "I've certainly studied the course, now I have to go and hit the shots - more for self-gratification than because it will move me up the leaderboard."
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Highlights: The Open third round