Masters champion Zach Johnson has rediscovered the same feeling he had when he won at Augusta in April after a three-under-par third round 68 at Carnoustie.

If the 31-year-old devout Christian was looking for omens the fact he made his first cut at the Open Championship in four attempts was certainly a start.

He built on that with a superb bogey-free round, opening with a birdie at the 406-yard first in an outward nine of 35.

He picked up further shots at the 13th and 14th and then laid up at the fearsome 499-yard par-four last before chipping close to secure par and a round of 68 which left him one over for the tournament.

"It was good and solid. Early on it could have been a lot better, I missed a lot of putts but all in all I'm very pleased," said the Iowa City-born Johnson.

"Hopefully I can keep the momentum going tomorrow. I am very pleased with my game and I hope I can maintain it. I hit the ball a lot more solid, the most solid for two weeks.

"That has similarities with Augusta and I had some of the same feelings (as at the Masters) today.

"Execution - that is what I did at Augusta on the back nine. I executed pretty much every shot.

"I just wanted to get myself into a position today to have the opportunity [to win]. Potentially I am in that position."