Japan's Hideki Matsuyama carded a solid round of 4-under-par 66 on Saturday but fell a further shot off the pace going into the final round of the British Open, the third major of the season.

World No. 2 Matsuyama nailed five birdies against a lone bogey at the par-70 Royal Birkdale Golf Club, finishing the day tied for fifth at 4-under 206, seven shots behind American leader Jordan Spieth, who shot a 65.

 Golf: Spieth leads by 3 going into final round

 (Getty/Kyodo)

 

Matsuyama bogeyed the par-3 fourth hole after missing a par putt from around 10 feet but quickly rebounded.

The 25-year-old picked up a shot on the fifth and good iron shots created birdie chances on the next two holes, which he duly converted.

Matsuyama added two more birdies on a bogey-free back nine and he said after his round that he feels he is still in with a shot at the title, despite his seven-stroke deficit.

"I think I have a slight chance," said Matsuyama. "I struggled a little with my shots today but I will try and fix that and have a good day (on Sunday)."

"A lot will hinge on the weather but I am really looking forward to it," he said.