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Salt Lake’s Tony Finau in position for a top-10 finish at British Open despite falling out of winning contention

Finau posts another even-par 71, is five shots behind the leaders heading into Sunday’s final round

Tony Finau of the US plays off the 17th tee during the second round of the British Open Golf Championship in Carnoustie, Scotland, Friday July 20, 2018. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

  | July 21, 2018, 7:20 p.m.
| Updated: July 22, 2018, 2:58 a.m.

Carnoustie, Scotland • Salt Lake City native Tony Finau has some ground to make up if he wants to post another top-10 finish in a major championship.

Finau posted his second-straight even-par 71 in the third round of the British Open on Saturday, but dropped from a tie for sixth place into a tie for 13th and is five shots behind the leaders, defending champion Jordan Spieth, Kevin Kisner and Xander Schauffele.

Finau will start Sunday’s final round at 8:20 a.m. MDT in a pairing with Zander Lombard of South Africa.

The Lehi resident played inconsistently on the front nine at Carnoustie Golf Links, including a double-bogey on the par-5 sixth hole. Before the double, he had seemingly righted himself with back-to-back birdies after making bogeys on two of his first three holes.

Finau was 3-over par on the day after making a bogey on the par-4 12th hole, but recovered nicely.

He made an eagle on the par-5 14th and birdied the 17th hole to get back to even par for the day. He is tied for second in birdies at the tournament, with 14.

Finau tied for 10th place in the Masters and was fifth in the U.S. Open last month.