Lee Westwood within striking distance after solid third round

Lee Westwood said he was on the verge of putting together a better score Saturday, but he’s trending in the right direction and remains within striking distance.

Westwood shot 2-under 70 in the third round and is three shots back of co-leaders Jordan Spieth and Bubba Watson entering the final round.

“I missed the fairway on 17 by very little, left, and I missed the fairway on 7 by 2 inches,” he said. “It’s the difference between being able to spin the ball and having to get cute with it.”

Westwood, 40, shot a first-round 73 and improved to 71 in the second round. He birdied four holes Saturday for his best round at Augusta National since the first round in 2013.

“Anywhere within five, even six shots of the lead going into the final round of the Masters is given a good chance, especially with the way the golf course is playing out here,” he said.

Westwood has fared well recently in the Masters, finishing in the top 12 four of the past five years. He tied for 11th in 2011 after finishing second the previous year. He tied for eighth last year and tied for third in 2012.