The Open: Things you might have missed from round three at St Andrews
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Brett’s back
Just four months ago, Australia’s Brett Rumford underwent surgery to remove 30 centimetres of his small intestine. He was taken ill halfway through the Tshwane Open in March. The 37-year-thought he was suffering from food poisoning, but it turned out to be a piece of apple lodged in his intestine meaning surgery was necessary. The five-time European Tour winner spent three weeks in hospital. He is back to full fitness now though after shooting his third straight 71 at this year’s Open on Sunday.
Ron’s on the bag
David Duval’s sudden return to form might be due, in no small part to his caddy. Ron Levin has been on the bags for more than 30 years and loves the links having helped Todd Hamilton lift the Claret Jug in 2004.
DeLaet shakes off the dust
It was a bad start to the week for Graham DeLaet. Aer Lingus somehow lost the Canadian’s clubs on the flight to Scotland, forcing him to borrow a set from his sponsors during the practice rounds. They finally turned up on Tuesday afternoon but were covered in what appeared to be dust. There was certainly no dust in his game on Sunday though, as he fired five birdies in a 68 to lie at four-under for the tournament.
Lemon the flavour of the day
Sergio Garcia got plenty of stick from Tiger Woods and others at the 2006 Open when he came dressed, head-to-toe, in yellow. ‘Just bludgeoned tweety bird’ was how Tiger reportedly put it afterwards. It was the right shade yesterday, though. Hideki Matsuyama and Anirban Lahiri both sported the shade and both shot 71.
Aussie, Aussie, Aussie
Four birdies in four holes in the Saturday gloom saw Scott Arnold, coached by TG Top 50 pro Adrian Fryer, make the cut on the number. Marcus Fraser and Marc Leishman were paired together and, cheered on by plenty in green and gold, shot a combined 12-under par in round three. Steven Bowditch carded a 69, Adam Scott 70 and Jason Day 67 to all sit inside the top 15 heading into the final 18 holes. Throw in the cricket at Lord’s and it’s safe to say it’s been a good weekend for the travelling Aussies.
The best of Twitter
Danny Willett: Morning all!! Breakfast time!! Then might nip for a quick 18 holes before my tee time later!!! Haha.. Gonna be an amazing day!! @TheOpen
Sergio Garcia: I want you guys to make a decision for me please!Adidas scripted me till today so whichever outfit gets more retweets I will wear tomorrow!
Graeme McDowell: Pretty sure my friend @ronanofficial said it best.. “Life is a rollercoaster, you just have to ride it…” My game definitely has a pulse.
Marcus Fraser: Awesome fun out there today at @TheOpen tried to keep up with Leish but he is to good! Flushes it! #cmonleish #TheOpen #TheOpenChampionship
Richie Ramsay: Thanks for all the support today. Great putt to finish on 18. Chase that low one 2moro #TheOpen #lovestandrews
David Howell: Not quite what I was after today it has to be said, played nicely, nothing went my way all day, that’s golf, due some good fortune tomorrow
Billy Horschel: @TheOpen is one of the more exciting Opens I have ever watched. Just wished I was up there at the top to be experiencing it as well
Shane Lowry: Paul Dunne was as good as any of them out there today. How good would it be to see him and paddy battle it out tomorrow on the back 9.
Paul Kinnear: The week has came to an end. Best week of my life!! Playing with and against the best players in the world
Round 3 in numbers
40,526: Spectators through the gates on Saturday.
2: Major cuts in a row missed by Tiger Woods – the first time that’s happened in his career.
8: Combined shots under par that playing partners Graham DeLaet and Jim Furyk played the front nine in.
218: Minutes it took the first group (Duval and Arnold) to complete their third round.
30: Players through before the first bogey of the day at the first hole (Richie Ramsay).
6: Pars recorded by Graeme McDowell in his third round.
67.7: Average score of the first 26 players.
19: Holes played by amateurs in round three before Oliver Schniederjans bogeyed the sixth.
12: Combined under par score of playing partners and Australians Marcus Fraser (68) and Marc Leishman (64)
25: Putts by Marc Leishman.
85: Years since an amateur won the Open (Bobby Jones).
22: Birdies on the opening hole.
