Adam Scott hits his tee shots at the 15th on Saturday – image R&A via Getty Images
With just four shots separating the first 12 players and several more not out of consideration as the Open Championship heads into the final day at Royal Troon, the likelihood of a classic final-day shootout seems on the cards.
The final nine holes in windy and wet conditions on Saturday afternoon brought undone the chance of anyone establishing an unassailable break on the field and with the relatively unheralded Daniel Brown dropping three shots in his final two holes to slip one off the lead, it is a congested pack who all have realistic chances of claiming the title tomorrow.
American Billy Horschel leads the way at 4 under but just one shot back are South African Thriston Lawrence, Americans Sam Burns, Russel Henley and Xander Schauffele and England’s Justin Rose and Daniel Brown with Schauffele the only one of that group to have a major title to his name.
Lurking ominously, however, is the game’s hottest player Scottie Scheffler who is just two from the lead as he looks to add a third major title to his already amazing list of victories.
Horschel has played 42 major s but has only two top tens to his name. He does however have some significant other titles to his name including the Tour Championship and the Memorial Tournament in addition to the European Tour’s flagship the BMW PGA Championship, so he is no stranger to successfully competing at close to the highest although tomorrow he has a chance to take his career to another level again.
“It was a pretty good round,” said Horschel. “As I said, I think my round at Kingsbarns in 2022 was probably better than this, and those conditions were pretty nasty. But this one’s by far my best round in really tough conditions in an Open Championship.
“I’ve just always embraced the toughness of anything. I’ve always enjoyed it. I think that’s the best way you can do to have a chance to play well.
“I enjoy hitting little bunt shots. It’s not the — I get tired of golf where you’re making full swings and you lean into a certain number and it stops. I like when you have to be creative and find a way to get around the golf course, and I think I’ve always done that well for the most part.
“So I think that’s why I’ve always — or I enjoy days like this.”
“I love it. I’ve worked my entire life to be in this position. Listen, I’ve been in the lead many times going into a final round. Obviously this is a major. It means a little bit more. We all know that. We know what this means to everyone. I know what it means to my legacy in the game of golf and what I want to do and accomplish.
“But I’m excited to be here. I’ve wanted to be here my entire life. I’m finally here. I’m embracing it.
“As I told Todd Lewis, something I’ve done this year, and I’ve done a better job this week of it, or tried to do a better job, is sort of manifest seeing myself holding the trophy before I go to sleep every night, envisioning myself holding that trophy on 18, walking out to the crowd and being congratulated as Open champion.
“That’s what I’m going to do again tonight, and hopefully that comes true tomorrow. If it doesn’t, then I’ll get back on the grind and work harder to get back in a position like this again.”
Billy Horschel – walks to the 8th tee – image R&A via Getty Images
Scheffler is arguably the player to watch as he chases a third major championship.
“I think that was probably the hardest nine holes that I’ll ever play,” said the world number one referring to the closing nine holes today. “I shouldn’t say ever, but it’s definitely the hardest that I’ve played to this point, I think.
“My goal kind of making the turn going into the back nine was do what I could to stay in the tournament and steal some shots where I could, and there wasn’t really much to steal on the back nine so it was good getting in. I think I played the back nine in maybe 1-over. Other than the missed short putt on 15 there where I got a bit distracted, it was a really solid back nine.”
Adam Scott began his third round in gentle breezes and fine weather but 12 shots from Lowry’s lead but courtesy of a brilliant round of 66 he has now put himself in contention at just four shots from Horschel’s lead and just one behind Lowry.
When he finished his round more than five hours ahead of the final group Scott was not hopeful of being in contention but that would soon change.
“Well, I’m probably not going to be in the mix, let’s be honest,” said Scott immediately after his round. “I’m likely nine shots behind, seven to nine shots behind, I would guess. If I am, then that’s a bonus, but I’m going to need wind and everything to be in my favour to kind of be in the mix.
“Yesterday kind of counted me out, with a lot of players who are not steady Eddies, fell out of contention yesterday.”
Scott is now definitely in the mix.
New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier is next best of the Australasians and interestingly he played with Scott today and produced an impressive round of 68 to be now just six shots from the lead.
“I’m not sure what the conditions are like tomorrow, but I can’t imagine they’ll get any better than this, said Hillier referring to the good early conditions he and Scott enjoyed. “Nice to put a good score on the board, and fingers crossed it’s pretty similar conditions tomorrow and try to take advantage of them again.”
