Spain’s Sergio Garcia is within one shot of claiming a first victory on any Tour since 2008 despite enduring a difficult third round at the HP Byron Nelson Championship at TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas, Texas.

Garcia, who started the day as joint leader with United States’ Ryan Palmer, couldn’t find a birdie in his third round but did card four bogeys to go round in 74 shots to close on 4-under par. Garcia’s poor round might have been enough to see his challenge end, but Ryan Palmer equally made a hash of things.

The American fared little better than Garcia on the birdie front – finding just one gain and matching Garcia’s tally of bogeys to finish just one shot ahead of the Spaniard at 5-under par, leaving all to play for in the final round.

The windy conditions made good scoring difficult and the last three holes at TPC Four Seasons were played into the wind, and winds blew throughout the day at a sustained 25 mph, with some gusts hitting 40mph. Only eight players of the 74 left in the event managed to put together a sub-par round, while no player managed to avoid dropping at least one shot in their round.

India’s Arjun Atwal was one of the eight players to break par; his 67 moving him into a share of third place two shots behind Palmer. Atwal ‘s round included four birdies in five holes and he was joined on 3-under par by Japan’s Ryuji Imada, who carded a level-par 70.

Matt Kuchar – the highest ranked player in the field – and Gary Woodland both shot 68s to share fifth, along with Joe Ogilvy who shot a 2-over 72.

First round leader Jeff Overton is amongst a group of eight players on 1-under par and sharing 8th place. The group includes Nick Watney, who shot 73 and amateur Jordan Speith who opened his round with back-to-birdies before going on to card a 72.

Meanwhile tipster pick Dustin Johnson’s 69 moved him back to level-par for the tournament, five shots off the pace.