Briton John Parry’s four-shot overnight lead was cut in half after the Dunhill Links Championship third round on Saturday.

The 23-year-old carded a one-under 71 in cold and overcast conditions at Carnoustie, one of three courses being used this week, to finish on 13-under 203 in the $5 million pro-am event.

Parry, who won the Vivendi Cup in France two weeks ago, was two strokes in front of Spain’s Alvaro Quiros (68) and German Martin Kaymer (68).

Briton Danny Willett (67) was a further two shots adrift on 207 while world number two Lee Westwood ignored his troublesome ankle injury to fire a 66 for 208.

“It was a grind out there so it was always going to be tough but it will be nice to be back at St Andrews (on Sunday),” Englishman Parry told reporters.

“It wasn’t easy going into today with a four-shot lead. Everyone thinks you’re just going to keep pulling away when it’s not really the case,” added the European Tour rookie.

Kaymer, a member of Europe’s triumphant Ryder Cup team last week, bogeyed his final hole at Carnoustie to suffer a setback in his bid to become the first player to win four times on this year’s European Tour.

The German has already landed the Abu Dhabi Championship, U.S. PGA Championship and Dutch Open titles.

EXTRA MOTIVATION

Quiros, was also played at Carnoustie, has extra motivation after narrowly missing out on a place in the Ryder Cup team.

“To win a tournament at St Andrews would be very special but I know I have to shoot low,” he said.

“If John plays well and shoots low tomorrow we can’t do anything. But I have to say I am very comfortable under pressure.”

Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie (72) safely made the third-round cut on 216 but three members of his team failed to qualify—Italian brothers Edoardo and Francesco Molinari and Sweden’s Peter Hanson.

Francesco returned a 77 for 218 while Edoardo plunged to an 81 for 226. Hanson shot a 70 for 217.

Double U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen produced a late birdie blitz to make the cut on 216.

The South African hit five birdies in his last eight holes to go round in 71.