Peter Whiteford fires his way back into contention in Sicily

Peter Whiteford's week of fluctuating fortunes took another positive turn yesterday when he barged his way to a top five spot during the third round of the Sicilian Open at the Donnafugata resort.

The Kirkcaldy man jumped 30 places up the leaderboard with a best-of-the-day five-under 66 for a five-under 208. He finished in a share of fifth, four behind French frontrunner Raphael Jacquelin, who had 69 for 204 and a one-stroke lead.

Whiteford, 30, finished second in last year's Andalucian Open but has struggled to recapture that form in 2011 and arrived on Sicily having missed three from six cuts and with a lowly share of 37th in the Qatar Masters as his best result so far.

An opening 74 on Thursday did little for the Fifer's morale but a second round 68 kick-started his week and yesterday's bogey-free, five-birdie card has thrust him into contention.

"The first round was awful, the worst I've played all year, and my game was at rock bottom," said the former Challenge Tour champion.

"I could've packed my things and got on a flight after six or seven holes, it was that bad. But I got some old feelings coming back with my swing in round two and that got me going and I carried that form on today."

Flu-ridden Colin Montgomerie, sharing ninth at the start of the day, spent 21 hours in bed before teeing-up and the former Ryder Cup skipper emerged from his sick bed to post a battling 71 for 209 and a tie for 14th.

"I just feel rotten," said Monty, whose general state would not have been helped by a bogey on the last.

"I feel weak and everything aches. Just getting round 18 holes was tough but I've made it."

Glasgow's Scott Jamieson continued his impressive rookie campaign on the European circuit with a three-under 68 to join Montgomerie on 209.

The 27-year-old, who was playing on the third-tier EuroPro Tour just two years ago, has already notched a sixth-place result in January's Joburg Open.

A solid round yesterday, polished by four birdies, kept him on course for another high finish.

Stephen Gallacher, the leading Scot on the Race to Dubai rankings at No.26, and former Open champion Paul Lawrie both finished on 213 after a 72 and a 73 respectively while last season's Scott Hydro Challenge winner George Murray also posted a 72 for 215.

Marc Warren, who made the halfway cut on the qualifying limit, failed to make any inroads with his third successive 72 for 216, while Alastair Forsyth endured a turbulent 74, which began with a double-bogey six on the first, was lifted with an eagle on the 12th and concluded with a disastrous quadruple bogey eight on the last.

Forsyth finished down on the 217 mark alongside fellow Scot Lloyd Saltman, who also signed for a 74.

Scotland's Martin Laird shot a third-round 68 and is four shots off the lead in a share of tenth place at the Transitions Championship in Palm Harbor, Florida. England's Justin Rose leads by one after a 65 left him 13 under par.