Adam Scott remains right in the thick of his chase for a second major championship victory, sitting two shots off the lead midway through the third round.

Scott is one-over through nine holes in his third round as Oak Hill Country Club rediscovers its bite in breezy warmer conditions to move to six-under-par for the tournament.

The Masters champion sits in a tie for third, two shots behind American Jim Furyk (eight under through 10) and one shot behind overnight leader Jason Dufner (seven-under through nine).

Scott opened his third round with a huge curling birdie putt but notched up bogeys on the second and third holes before rattling off six straight pars.

Scott is aiming to be the first Australian to win two majors in the same year and the last player to win the first and last major of a season since Jack Nicklaus in 1975.

Jason Day and Marcus Fraser are the next best Australians in a tie for 16th at one-under par with a handful of holes to play.

Marc Leishman shot his third consecutive even par 70 to be even for the week in a tie for 25th.

John Senden (73) sits at five-over while Matt Jones (73) is at six-over to round out the Australian tilt.