While the news was good for Paul Lawrie's young son Michael, the former Open Champion struggled to threaten the lead on day three of the Masters.

Thirteen-year-old Michael Lawrie, who has followed his father for six days around Augusta National, will make his Scottish Boys Championship debut on Tuesday at Murcar.

He accompanied his parents to Augusta earlier last week as second reserve but the withdrawal of two players will now see Michael join his older brother, Craig in the event being sponsored by the Paul Lawrie Foundation.

However, it is looking unlikely Lawrie will arrive at Murcar to watch his son wearing the famed Augusta green jacket, after recording a third round 69 for a three-under-par three-round tally.

It left the Scot among the top-15 but a distant six behind Sweden's Peter Hanson, a surprise leader in carding a 65 for a nine-under-par tally and in only his second Masters.

"After doubling the first I then tried to play the boring stuff like hitting fairways and greens and I managed to turn it into one of those great rounds," said Hanson.

"I've been up on the leaderboard a few times in my career but never led an event like this, so hopefully I can get a good night and as much sleep as I can and be ready for tomorrow."

Phil Mickelson, who had played the first two rounds in Hanson's company, birdied the 18th hole for a third day running in a score of 66, to move to eight under par as he chases a fourth green jacket in the nine years.

Lawrie had moved to four under par with a superb birdie at the par five 13th but gave a stroke straight back in landing through the green at the par four 14th and then missing a five-foot par putt.

The Aberdonian had commenced his third day's play at three under par after having birdied his closing three holes on day two.

Lawrie dropped to two under par when he bogeyed the par five second hole for the first time in the tournament but was back to level par for the round when he birdied the par three sixth hole for a first occasion all week.

He was rock steady around the turn and went into Amen Corner with four straight pars before adding a fifth at the par three 12th hole, where a day earlier he faced the indignity of having to walk back to the tee after losing a ball among the azaleas.

A birdie at the par five 13th put Lawrie into a share of sixth place and just three off the lead at that point.

Lawrie regrouped after the dropped shot at 14 to put his second shot just off the back of the green at the dangerous 15th, from where he chipped and two-putted for par.

It was par golf the rest of the way and while the title may now escape Lawrie, a top-16 finish would guarantee him a return to the course next year.

Earlier, Martin Laird promised to go out attacking Augusta National over the final round after shooting a third-round 74, for a six-over-par total.

Scotland's leading world-ranked player said: "It was a very average day out there. I didn't play great and didn't drive the ball great. I am going to go out tomorrow using the driver aggressively and hopefully I can shoot a few under par as that would be a good end to the week."