Sergio Garcia's quest for a 1st major title set to be ruined by Rory McIlroy at British Open

Sergio Garcia of Spain walks along the 18th fairway during the third day of the British Open Golf championship at the Royal Liverpool golf club, Hoylake, England, Saturday July 19, 2014. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) (The Associated Press)

Sergio Garcia hauled himself to within range of Rory McIlroy at the British Open on Saturday when a roar that the Spaniard didn't want to hear came from the 16th green behind him.

McIlroy had just rolled in an eagle putt to restore his five-stroke lead at Royal Liverpool.

For Garcia, another shot at a first major title was drifting by.

Eight years ago at Hoylake, Garcia was paired with Tiger Woods for the final round and started only one shot off the lead. Two three-putts in his first three holes saw Garcia drop away and he shot a 73 to finish tied for fifth.

On Sunday, Garcia has an even harder task — he'll begin seven shots off McIlroy and is in the next-to-last pairing with Dustin Johnson.