(Saint Andrews) All smiles on Norwegian Viktor Hovland on the greens, while Cameron Smith is unrecognizable compared to the day before in this phase of play.
Posted at 12:49 p.m.
Hovland snagged a 20-foot putt for a fourth straight birdie on the sixth hole, and now sits atop the British Open standings at 14 under, two strokes ahead of his main pursuers.
Smith, whose sinking putts went a record 253 feet in the second round, led by two strokes at the conclusion of the second round. He was plus-1 after five holes in the third round.
PHOTO ANDREW BOYERS, REUTERS
Cameron Smith
The Australian shares second place with Cameron Young and Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy, who birdied on the fifth and sixth holes.
Hovland had missed qualifying for the weekend rounds at its last two tournaments, the US Open and Scottish Open, last week. His last top 10 dated back to the Players Championship in March.
Kevin Kisner, who was part of the second group to start on Saturday, set the tone for a sunny day that looked favorable for low scores in St. Andrews.
The American had a 63-foot putt for an eagle that would have allowed him to go 63 and tie the best round in history at a major tournament in the birthplace of golf.
He finally settled for par on 18e green, for a score of 65 (minus-7). Kisner’s playing partner, American Trey Mullinax, scored 66.
Richard Mansell kicked off the third round, alone, and completed the old St. Andrews course in 68 strokes.
Of the first nine players to start the third round, six of them have played under 70 — including 2018 British Open champion Francesco Molinari of Italy at 66.
The lone Canadian golfer still in contention at the British Open, Corey Conners, posted a third straight 71 to go 3-under overall.