(Troon) In short heats in dull weather, Billy Horschel excelled from short distances to take a one-shot lead at the British Open on Saturday.
He notably made several brilliant outings from awkward sand traps, for pars. His card of 69 took him to 209 (-4).
For the first time in his career, he leads after 54 holes in a major tournament.
“It’s exciting,” Horschel said. “I’ve wanted to be at this point my whole life. I’m finally here.”
The rain started before the leaders set off and only got heavier at Royal Troon.
The wind was relentless on an already difficult second nine, doing great damage to the scores.
“These are the toughest nine holes in golf right now,” said Dustin Johnson, a former world number one who has won two major tournaments.
PHOTO GLYN KIRK, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Rain spoils the party in the third round of the British Open
Johnson shot 72 for 215.
Thriston Lawrence of South Africa tees off more than three hours before the final group. He carded six birdies in eight holes on his way to a 65.
Having been 10 shots behind at the start of the round, he earned a spot in the final group for Sunday.
He is just one shot behind Horschel along with Sam Burns, Russell Henley, Xander Schauffele, Justin Rose and Daniel Brown.
Burns had eight birdies in his round of 65.
Henley made three consecutive birdies on the front nine, shooting 66.
Schauffele shot a 69, the same player who won the PGA Championship in May.
PHOTO PETER MORRISON, ASSOCIATED PRESS
Daniel Brown tries to get out of the sand trap
“If you can get in a good position with a few holes to play, you’ve done your job well,” Schauffele said. “It’s tight at the top of the field; you’re going to have to be really focused and try to just worry about yourself.”
Rose shot a 73 as did Brown, the Englishman making his major tournament debut.
Brown made a bogey and a double bogey on his last two holes. On the 7the hole, he hit his tee shot so far right that it ended up on the eighth green.
Scottie Scheffler, the world’s top-ranked golfer, shot a 71 to move within two shots of the lead. He triumphed at Augusta in April.
Shane Lowry showed his game was designed for links golf when he won at Royal Portrush five years ago.
On Saturday, he quickly took a three-shot lead, but it didn’t last.
He shot 7 over par over the last 11 holes, starting with a double bogey on the eighth. He shot 77 for 212.
Early in the day, Si Woo Kim became the first player to make a hole-in-one on the 17the hole, in 10 editions of the tournament presented at Royal Troon.
Canadian Mackenzie Hughes is 40e following a 75, including three bogeys on each half of the field. His compatriot Corey Conners is 62e after an 80.
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