The Open: Xander Schauffele criticises 'diabolical' pin positions at Royal Portrush

Xander Schauffele says some of the pin locations at The Open have been 'diabolical'. 

Schauffele made a big charge up the leaderboard on moving day at the final men's major of the year. 

The reigning champion golfer of the year carded a five-under 66 that contained two eagles and two birdies. 

But the 31-year-old PGA Tour star felt some of the pin locations at Royal Portrush were particularly shocking. 

Schauffele told reporters in the mixed zone that the par-5 12th wasn't great, despite holing a 44-foot eagle putt from across the green. 

"There's been some diabolical pin locations this week," Schauffele said. "And that was one of them. 

"It's a very gettable par-5 with it being sort of helping off the left. But it was nice to see a long putt go in. I think it was my first long one of the week."

Schauffele moved up nine places on the leaderboard on Saturday and has a chance, albeit very slim, of winning the Claret Jug for a second time. 

But he will likely need some mistakes from runaway leader Scottie Scheffler, who Rory McIlroy described as 'inevitable'. 

Schauffele has struggled to hit the same level of form he reached 12 months ago that saw him win two major titles. 

At the beginning of the year, he was forced to sit out eight weeks of the campaign with a rib injury and only returned at The Players Championship. 

Schauffele still feels something is missing and felt 'terrible' about his game after making the cut in Northern Ireland. 

He phoned his golf coach Chris Como last night already has felt a difference. 

"Today was nice," he said. 

"Even with some of the shots coming in [yesterday], I felt like I was luck boxing my way through the back nine, somehow making contact and then sitting it somewhere near the hole and getting it in," Schauffele added. 

"Today felt like I was in more control. Obviously, the weather was much nicer and sort of what we're used to on the PGA Tour. But it felt like I could control my golf ball a lot more."

"I needed three more today"

Pre-tournament favourite Scottie Scheffler will take a four-shot lead into the final round of The Open. 

Scheffler backed up a scintillating 66 amid torrential downpours with a 67 on Saturday. 

Schauffele claimed he was likely too far back now. 

"I needed three more [birdies] today to feel like I'm somewhere close enough," Schauffele said. 

So what is the plan tomorrow?

Blackout. 

"I believe in myself and what I can do," he said. So just blackout hopefully. No luck boxing, blackout, there's your headline, and try to shoot something and give myself a lot of opportunities."

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