Turnberry, Scotland ? English journeyman Carl Mason is beginning to get used to the position of front-runner.

Mason shot a 5-under-par 65 Saturday and maintained his one-stroke lead after three rounds at the Senior British Open

“I’m getting used to this pressure thing,” said Mason, who was at 14-under 196. “I quite like it. It feels terrible, but I quite like it.”

Mason, who has two tournament victories in his career, will need another strong round to win is first career major.

D.A. Weibring was a stroke off the lead in second place at 13-under 197 after a 65. Two strokes back were Tom Watson, Tom Kite and Bruce Summerhays, who shot 66s and were tied for third at 199.

Jack Nicklaus also was in contention, tied for ninth after a second straight 67.

Watson and Kite didn’t expect to be three stroke off the pace at 11 under.

“I’m in a good position, obviously,” Watson said. “Definitely within shouting distance. Carl’s the man to beat. I played with him on the first two rounds and he certainly played better than I did.

“I’m going to have to turn it on and play my best round of the week tomorrow to catch him. It’s going to be a difficult chore. He’s not making any mistakes or very few mistakes.”

Tom Watson of Stilwell blasts a tee shot as Tom Kite looks on during third-round play at the Senior British Open. Watson was three strokes behind leader Carl Mason after Saturday's round in Turnberry, Scotland.

Watson continued his streak of impressive play in majors. In the last month he has carded a 65 at the U.S. Open, 66 at the U.S. Senior Open, 64 at the Senior Players Championship and 69 at the British Open.

“I have to say that my play this week has been pretty scratchy, but I’ve been making a lot of putts,” said Watson, who made two 30-footers for birdies at Nos. 7 and 8.