Ian Poulter weathers storm to stay in contention at Scottish Open

The tough conditions resulted in a congested leaderboard with three players - Sweden's Johan Carlsson (68), Paul Dunne of Ireland (69) and Ryan Fox of New Zealand (69) - sharing fifth place on six under, and a fascinating final round looks in prospect with better weather forecast for Sunday.

Ian Poulter headlines a group of three players who will take a share of the lead into the final round of the Scottish Open.

"Attitude is everything", he said after a round that saw him cover the first eight holes in two-under before dropping a shot at the 16th, the toughest hole on the course when it is flat calm and even more so when it is straight into the teeth of a wind like this one.

On a video posted on the European Tour's Twitter page, talented English golfer Matt Fitzpatrick could be seen striking his shot well left of the pin while Martin Kaymer did the exact opposite, hooking the ball right of the grandstand. T here's a lot at stake. I feel energised and excited about the golf I've been playing.

"There's life in the old dog yet", Poulter added, with a determined smile, "and I'm relishing the opportunity tomorrow to go out and get stuck in".

"My whole family are up here which is really nice". The last trophy I handed to Luke (his eldest son) was on his birthday. I knew it was only going to go one way, up the leaderboard.

"It would be awesome to win again".

Shinkwin, the world No. 405, has had more disqualifications (two) than top-25 finishes on the European Tour this season.

"It's the first time I've played with Ian and we dragged each other along, which was good fun", said Shinkwin, who was disqualified for signing for an incorrect score in the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth and for playing with a club he had damaged in anger during the Nordea Masters.

Unlike his two rivals, Poulter has already qualified for next week's Open at Royal Birkdale - a major in which the Englishman finished second at the same venue in 2008 - as has compatriot Andy Sullivan, who is the trio's closest challenger, two strokes back in outright fourth.

Kuchar landed birdies on No. 9 and 11, but he battled the wind and the rain to complete a round of 73.

Like Poulter, 31-year-old Dodt shot a one-under-par 71 to co-lead and, as well as winning the Rolex Series event, he is also targeting a place in his first major, with three spots on the line.

"I'm just glad that after putting all the hard work in through the weather I got my reward in the end there".