Tomorrow could be the biggest day of Callum Shinkwin’s golfing life after he held firm in the wind and rain to remain in a three-way tie for the lead going into the final round of the Scottish Open.

The Bushey golfer started the third round on nine-under-par and he remains there after a level-par 72 to add to rounds of 67 and 68 at Dundonald Links.

While overnight table-topping companions Alexander Knappe and Padriag Harrington saw their challenge falter in the wet and wild conditions in Ayrshire, Shinkwin now shares the summit with Ian Poulter and Andrew Dodt after both shot one-under-par rounds of 71.

The Moor Park Golf Club professional is not only potentially 18 holes away from his best career result – emulating the tie for eighth he secured at last year’s Scottish Open at Castle Stuart – but he knows a place at next week’s Open Championship at Royal Birkdale is also within his sights, plus the biggest prize of a first European Tour and Rolex Series title and the rewards that would bring.

The 24-year-old bounced back from dropping a shot on the par five fifth after getting in bunker trouble to birdie the par three sixth. The bogey-birdie sequence continued over the next two holes, both par fours, to send Shinkwin out in an even-par 36.

The former English Amateur champion dropped another shot at the par four 12th, but his response two holes later was fantastic, hitting a wonderful second into the par five to leave him with a close putt for eagle.

Although Shinkwin then bogeyed the par three 15th, but moved back into a share of the lead after Poulter dropped a shot at 16, while Australian Dodt birdied 18 to make it a three-way tie for top spot at the end of day three.