Cabrera kept his mighty drives in play at Hoylake

Thirty-nine years after De Vicenzo won the Open the last time it was held at the course, Cabrera is in contention thanks to a stunning third-round 66.

"At this moment I'm really not thinking about the history, I'm thinking about Cabrera," said the 36-year-old from Cordoba, who is two shots off the lead.

The big-hitting Cabrera carded six birdies, an eagle and two bogeys.

Highlights: The Open third round

Cabrera, who had missed the cut in four of his last five appearances at the Open after finishing fourth at Carnoustie in 1999, said he owed some of his fine form this week to Seve Ballesteros.

"I played a practice round with Seve and I said to him, 'How do you play this golf course?'," said Cabrera.

"Seve said, 'The closer you get it to the green the more chance you have', and that's the way I've played it."

Tiger Woods used his driver just once in the first two rounds, but Cabrera, one of the longest hitters on tour, added: "I hit my driver whenever I can."

Cabrera is not the only Argentine within striking distance of the top of the leaderboard.

Andres Romero, 25, carded six birdies to move to eight under.

"I just played so well last week and I am so delighted I have carried on playing so well this week," said Romero, who qualified for the Open by finishing joint second at the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond.