Just as Davis was getting his title defence back on track, the 23-year-old doubled-bogeyed the 13th hole in a four-under-par 68 on Saturday that left him a distant 10 strokes off the lead.

The defending champion is three under for the championship, but knows he could have been much deeper in red figures if not for a series of sloppy lapses.

His double bogey in the third round aside - when Davis drove into a fairway trap and was unable to recover - the 23-year-old would be top of the leaderboard if he traded two ugly eights in the opening two rounds for pars.

"It was very frustrating at the point of the round because a birdie there and I'm five under for the round with still a couple of birdie opportunities to go so I'm looking at a good number," Davis said.

"I was playing so well at that point. I wasn't thinking about anything else than hitting a birdie."

Davis's 15 birdies and one eagle in his first 54 holes gave him hope that he could produce the same final-round magic as last year to steal the Stonehaven Cup.

The Sydneysider started Sunday six behind superstar leader Jason Day before carding a final-round 64 to win the Open at The Australian.

Alas, Davis would need a total collapse this year from third-round leader Abraham Ancer to reel in the Mexican.

"I could have a great round tomorrow and the conditions could be really tough like last year where a great round can make up a lot of ground," he said.

"I had nothing to lose last year and it'll be exactly the same this year.

"I'm so far back that only a great round will put me anywhere near the lead. It's the same sort of deal.

"You can't force it. You can't try any harder than you have been because, as soon as you force, it that's usually when things go wrong."

Australian Associated Press