Matt Fitzpatrick three shots off the pace headed into final round at US PGA

Six days after declaring Southern Hills was “not really my cup of tea”, Matt Fitzpatrick heads into the final round of the US PGA Championship in contention for a maiden major title.

Fitzpatrick made light of the cold, breezy conditions to card a superb 67 and end a rollercoaster day three shots behind pacesetter Mito Pereira, the PGA Tour rookie continuing to impress on just his second major start.

Pereira went from one behind playing partner Will Zalatoris to four ahead in the space of six holes, then saw his lead cut to a single shot after four bogeys in five holes around the turn before back-to-back birdies on 13 and 14.

The 27-year-old from Chile also birdied the last to card a 69 and finish nine under par, with Fitzpatrick and Zalatoris – who recovered from playing his first seven holes in four over to return a 73 – on six under.

“I was so proud of myself after my start today,” said Fitzpatrick, who fought back superbly after dropping shots on the first two holes.

“To get back to the same score I started on at the end of the front nine I was absolutely delighted and I’ve put myself in a good position.”

Ireland’s Seamus Power lies six shots off the lead following a 67, but Rory McIlroy fell nine shots adrift following a disappointing 74.

“I feel good, my game is in a good spot,” said Power, who was ranked outside the world’s top 400 just a year ago but is currently ranked 42nd.

“Obviously I’ll go out a little before any of the leaders. If I can get a couple birdies on the card, it can make the world of difference and then you need a couple breaks to go your way.”

McIlroy began the day five shots off the lead but dropped four shots in three holes from the sixth before a birdie on the ninth seemingly steadied the