Hampshire's Justin Rose insists that he is still a contender at the 138th Open Championship after staying in the hunt with a third-round one-over 71.

Rose, who trails leader Tom Watson by six shots, told BBC Sport: "I'd like to be a couple of shots closer, but anything is possible.

"I hit the ball really well, phenomenally well, in fact, and a 65 was just a smidgeon away.

"It's as good as I've played all year, as good as I've ever played."

Rose began badly with a bogey five, immediately put right with a birdie at the second.

And he then went back to level par for the championship when he knocked in another birdie putt at 7.

But three more shots went, at 8, 11 and 13, before he finished in style with a birdie at 18.

And, if Rose can get his putter working, he hopes that proves a prelude to a final day charge.

"I feel so comfortable with my ball-striking," he said. "And I had lots of birdie chances from 12 to 15 feet. I just need to start holing a few putts."