LAST UPDATE | 21 Jul 2018
AMERICAN TRIO JORDAN Spieth, Xander Schauffele and Kevin Kisner are tied for the lead after a thrilling third round at the British Open on Saturday.
Reigning champion Spieth boosted his chances of retaining the Claret Jug with a six-under-par 65 to move to nine-under overall at Carnoustie.
But Schauffele, who at 24 is the same age as Spieth, joined his compatriot at the top of the leaderboard thanks to a 67 that featured six birdies.
Meanwhile, Kisner, who had shared the lead at the halfway stage along with Zach Johnson, remains right in contention after a bogey-free round of 68.
Round 3 ✅
— The Open (@TheOpen) July 21, 2018
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The leaders are two shots clear of another American, Kevin Chappell, who is seven under after a 67 playing with Spieth.
Behind him, Francesco Molinari of Italy is six under, while Tiger Woods is five under after a 66 as he searches for his first major title in a decade.
An inspired Woods set the clubhouse benchmark early on Saturday.
The 42-year-old, who started the day at level par, rolled back the years with a sparkling 66 – his lowest score at a major in seven years – to move to five-under-par.
On a day where glorious conditions were making for favourable scoring, the 14-time major champion reached the turn in 33 and birdies at 10, 11 and 14 briefly had him six-under.
A bogey at 16 derailed his momentum slightly and luck was on his side when a wayward tee shot at the last just stayed out of the Barry Burn.
Rory McIlroy is also five under after third-round 70, as is England’s Tommy Fleetwood and America’s Zach Johnson.
© Agence France-Presse
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If McIlroy could putt, he’d be 2 or 3 ahead.
@MK76: Generally I agree with your comment, but interestingly Rory made 26 putts yesterday for his 3rd round. Spieth & Tiger made 29.
His stats for fairways hit (27%, 47%, 67%) might be what’s holding him back this wknd.
@Brendan Dempsey: Interesting, but today was moving day and I counted at least 6 shots left on the greens. Was infuriating to watch, as he was sublime tee to green for the most part.
@MK76: yeah it’s bloody frustrating to watch him squander good chances. A bit like trying to watch Raheem Sterling trying to score sometimes!!
@MK76: some of his pitching was frustrating too… monster drives leaving him wedges and he didn’t get any of them particularly close to the pin, which puts pressure on the putter!!
Set up for a “Super Sunday” . Amazing that Tiger is back at such a high level so quickly.
Wow
The wind is meant to pick up tomorrow afternoon, looking forward to it.
Feel sorry for mcilroy,great golfer,but seems the pressure is killin him recently,still,only 4 off the lead
Wind won’t suit Rory… Speith to retain by 3
McElroy going nowhere. Add his wedge to his putter..
@Dead Ball Browne: yea he’s defo not going anywhere since the player you talk about isn’t in the field this week