Saturday July 24, 2010, 07:15 PM

Germany's Bernhard Langer piled the pressure on America's Ryder Cup skipper Corey Pavin when he carved out a three-shot lead after three rounds of the Senior Open on Saturday.

Langer, a two-time Masters winner, began the third round tied with Pavin on four under par, but the 2002 European Ryder Cup captain carded a two-under 69 to his opponent's 72.

"It was a good round of golf again," Langer said. "I played very solid, and wasn't in too much trouble for the most part.

"But I'm aware of the golf course - that it's one of the toughest links you'll ever play. So I'm very much aware that the three shot lead is nothing, or very little, so I still need to play a very solid, very good round of golf tomorrow if I'm going to lift the trophy."

Langer is seeking his first senior major title after seven top-10 finishes, while Pavin is playing in his first over-50s event since reaching the landmark last November.

Pavin is convinced he is still in the running for the title and he said: "It was a day I played fairly well and a lot of putts just missed.

"Sometimes you have days like that - I would rather have it be on Saturday than Sunday.

"So I'll go work on my putting and see if I was maybe lined up a little bit wrong or something was off.

"On this course, once you start attacking and getting aggressive, it can really come up and bite you. But if I get into position with a few holes to go, I might take a chance if I need to."

Fred Funk made a significant move up into a tie for third on three under after a best-of-the-day 67.

Another Ryder Cup captain and major winner Ian Woosnam is also among that number after a one-over 72.

© 2010 AFP/sid