152nd Open Championship Saturday Recap: A moving day that will forever live in memory

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Just like in any sport, to win the biggest prizes you need a tonne of skill and a small slice of luck. 

Due to the very nature of the Open Championship luck can often be found with the weather. It isn’t unusual for those teeing off at certain parts of the day to enjoy still, calm conditions, with those teeing off later having to battle through rain and bitter winds. What we saw yesterday was something rarely seen in the Open before.

Early starters benefit from the best of the conditions

There is always a general feeling at the Open that any golfer that makes the cut always has an outside chance of winning and those who found themselves well back yesterday would have loved the scene that greeted them on Saturday morning. 

After having been battered by a steady wind for two consecutive days, the conditions were still and calm and two players in particular were able to make hay.

Thriston Lawrence teed off his third round twelve shots behind overnight leader Shane Lowry, but by the time the day had ended Lawrence remarkably found himself just one shot off the lead and due to go out in today’s final pairing.

Finishing with a -3 score, the damage was done on the front nine where the powerful South African was able to pick up six strokes through his first nine holes. A further birdie would follow on the 11th, with his only dropped shot coming on the 13th.

Finding himself at -3, Lawrence was able to come down the stretch in level par to cement his position at the top. 

The other man to vault himself into contention was Sam Burns. Starting his third round thirteen strokes back, like Lawrence, the world number 28 was able to take advantage of a generous front nine and picked up five strokes. 

Able to keep his foot down, the American would pick up further shots at the 11th, 12th and 16th holes to post a stunning -6 round of 65 and also finish the day just one behind the leaders. 

Adam Scott and Justin Thomas were also able to move themselves into contention with rounds of 66 and 67 respectively and both will start their days four strokes off the lead and firmly in the hunt.

Early starters benefit from the best of the conditions


As the weather changes so do the hopes of the leaders

With the afternoon forecast for heavy rain and wind, those situated near the top of the leaderboard knew that in order to maintain their positions at the top, they would need to play attritional, battling golf.

The gentle conditions that those experienced at the start of the day were a thing of the past and the afternoon session would be rough.

Starting the day with a two shot lead was Shane Lowry. Usually so great when the weather turns, even the popular Irishman struggled. 

Despite extending his lead on the fourth hole with a brilliant birdie, Lowry’s round would start to unravel at the iconic ‘Postage Stamp.’

Dropping two shots courtesy of finding the bunker with his approach, Lowry’s back nine would turn into a disaster as he would drop five further shots. 

Unable to exert any pressure from off the tee, Lowry’s usually steady putting stroke also deserted him when he needed it most. By no means out of the running at -1, he will need to show exceptional mental strength to bounce back today. 

Lowry’s co-leader Dan Brown handled the conditions far better but would go onto rue a costly ending. 

Having produced a magical birdie at the 16th hole, the world number 272 found himself with a three shot lead but whether it was tiredness or fatigue, Brown couldn’t just hold on to take his lead into today.

A tired bogey would come on the 17th and then a wayward drive up 18 would leave him scrambling for par. 

Unable to work his ball into a manageable position, Brown would end his day with a costly double bogey and sign off for a -3 score. Still just one shot back, many have expected the Englishman to fall away since he took a surprise lead at the end of the first round. Seemingly undeterred by the pressure and quality of those around him, Brown will head out today with nothing to lose and will quietly still fancy his chances. 

As the weather changes so do the hopes of the leaders


American trio show plenty of heart to put themselves in position to challenge 

Xander Schauffele and Scottie Scheffler both showed why they are two of the best three players in the world. 

For a period Schauffele looked like he would take control of the tournament, posting three birdies on his front nine and a fourth at the tenth, the PGA Champion found himself just one stroke back. 

Inevitable dropped shots would come at both the 11th and 18th holes but he was able to limit the damage with some excellent par saves. 

Since winning his first major, the Californian has looked hungry for more and a second major title of the year could well arrive today if he continues to play the sort of golf that we have seen through the first three rounds.

Scottie Scheffler is also on the hunt for a second major of the year and his first away from the luxurious settings of Augusta.

The world number one will start just two shots back and with him finally able to play in some decent weather today, he will start as many people’s favourite.

However the man they will all need to catch is Billy Horschel. Despite having won all over the globe, the American will be teeing off in the final round of a major in the final group for the first time. 

Playing alongside Justin Rose yesterday, Horschel is no stranger to these sorts of conditions and is a regular on the DP World Tour. 

A tough and gritty competitor, Horschel seemed to be in his element yesterday as he produced some of the best golf in his career.

Finding four birdies on his front nine, the former World Matchplay winner battled superbly to only drop two shots on his back nine, with the feature being a multitude of sand saves and stunning putts to make his pars.

A dropped shot at the last will hurt, but for Horschel he will feel his time is now. Taking a one shot lead into the final round he will be supremely confident that today could end with him lifting the famous Claret Jug. 

With this tournament still very much up for grabs there is a chance that anyone within five shots can win this famous tournament. In what has been a special tournament, today there could be fireworks as some of the best golfers in the world and those wanting to make a name themselves try and cement themselves in Open history.