Gareth Maybin has put himself in superb position to capture maiden Tour victory and qualify for next week’s Open Championship with a sizzling 64 on day three of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open at Castle Stuart.

Maybin, ranked 414th in the world, moved into a share of seventh place on 13-under par and just three behind Sweden’s Henrik Stenson.

Stenson carded a six under par 66 to move two clear of the field on 16-under par with five players, among them World No. 8 Phil Mickelson, also with a 66, in striking distance on 14-under.

Gareth Maybin focuses in on a sizzling 64 as he eyes Scottish Open glory. (Photo – Stuart Adams/www.golftourimages.com)

Maybin sprinted up the leader board to be five under pare after six holes courtesy of three birdies in succession from his second hole and a sixth hole eagle.

The Ballyclare golfer then managed five other birdies in a round matched a similar 64 he shot in the 2009 Italian Open but was three shots shy of his lowest-ever round of a 61 in the 2010 UBS Hong Kong Open.

“It was pretty much a flawless day apart from I guess two bogeys,”  he said.

“I played great golf, flagged it all day and made a bunch of putts.

“So I’m over the moon and this score has been building for a while.”

Maybin, along with David Higgins, are the only Irish players yet to taste success on the Race to Dubai and with Maybin going close to success very early in his first full season on Tour in 2009 in finishing runner-up in the South African Open.

Victory along the Moray Forth would end a 130 tournament winless spell for Maybin.  As well, Maybin would earn one of the last two exemptions into next week’s Open Championship at Muirfield.

“Tomorrow is going to be a big day and if I can go out there and put in a great performance like I did today, I should have a shot,” he said.

“And I’m excited too about getting into next week’s Open Championship.  It’s the pinnacle of golf for me playing in your home Open at a top-quality links golf course.”