Adam Scott has given himself an outside chance of starting the year with a win at the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii.

World No.2 Scott shot a four-under-par 69 to climb from seven shots back to be four from the lead after the third round on the Plantation Course at Kapalua.

However Scott, aiming to close the ranking gap to absent world No.1 Tiger Woods, will need to produce something special to claim the title as he has eight players ahead of him.

They include defending champion Dustin Johnson (69) who is tied for the lead with fellow Americans Webb Simpson (68) and Jordan Spieth (69) at 14-under 205.

Overnight leader Zach Johnson slipped with a 74 to be fourth, two shots behind.

Gary Woodland (67), Jason Dufner (69), Brandt Snedeker (69) and Kevin Streelman (70) are also ahead of Scott on 208.