Garcia puts himself in contention

Sergio Garcia felt he may have given himself a "slight chance" of victory at The Open Championship after lifting his spirits with a third round 68.

The Spaniard was in a tie for 49th at six over par at the halfway stage at Muirfield after two difficult opening rounds.

He made some amends after resuming his challenge on the third morning, climbing to three over with a round that featured six birdies, and was left to hope conditions proved tougher for later starters.

Garcia said: "Obviously I needed to do something like that today to have a slight chance.

"But if someone at two under or three under shoots three or four under par, it's going to be too far back."

Former World Number Two Garcia has happy memories of Muirfield after winning the Amateur Championship at the Scottish links in 1998 and finishing tied eighth in the 2002 Open.

He also went close to Open victory in 2007, when he was beaten by Padraig Harrington in a play-off at Carnoustie, and it is a title he craves more than any other.

The 33 year old said: "I've always said, as an individual tournament, this is definitely my favourite.

"And it would be nice (to win) - but hopefully it won't be the only one."