14/07/2012 Golf: Scottish Open

Hello, from the Highlands of Scotland, and the superb Castle

Stuart Golf Club near Inverness. The setting is superb. Looking out

over the Black Isle and up towards the Kessock Bridge and Inverness,

the capital of the Highlands. Mercifully this year we can enjoy

the views, in fact we can see them, because you may resemble --

remembered they horrendous weather, freak storms that we had 12 months

ago that literally washed part of the new course out into the Moray

Firth. This year, happily, all the headlines are being created by the

numbers of birdies and eagles that have been flying in from all around

this magnificent course in this Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish

Open Championship. For many this is a dress rehearsal for the Open next

year at -- next week. But if the first couple of days here are

anything to go by, we are in for a spectacular weekend's golf.

A links course without wind without a from this to the ground is a tame

beast, and on day one Castle Stuart was without defences. Making the

most of it was Francesco Molinari, on a day where he could do little

wrong. 10 birdies in total, his 62 would remain out of touch for the

rest of the field. Birdies were flying, but not all of them were

finding them, but some are struggling, Phil Mickelson starting

with a 73. He made and will -- a late decision to play, but an early

exit was looming. The two, similar conditions, but a different Phil

Mickelson. An eagle and six birdies making a 64 insuring he would not

only be here for the weekend, but challenging, as well. Alexander

Noren, a double -- Alex Noren of setting his start. Luke Donald,

defending his title had a quiet day, two birdies early on, frustration

in between, two birdies to finish. 68 left him the three of the pace.

Matteo Manassero, chasing third title, still a teenager, he was

round in 64, 11-under overall. One behind the overall leader.

Francesco Molinari fell to earth after his 72. -- after his 62.

A bunch of low scores already, the best from Francesco Molinari.

Although he has since been joined by Alex Noren who celebrated his

30th birthday on Thursday and would love a belated present of �430,000

tomorrow night. Another Italian, teenager at Matteo Manassero, also

Ricardo Gonzalez, at all after the one remaining qualifying spot for

the Open Championship. Germany's former world number one, Martin

Kaymer and the man at the top of the world rankings now, Luke Donald,

very much in the hunt at three shots under. -- 9-under. And Phil

Mickelson dialled in five shots off the lead. Saw, with such a

congested leaderboard, the possibilities are many in front of

us. When the halfway cut fell last night, it did it at 4-under par,

the second lowest kitemark ever on a European Tour. Demi Els sneaked

in under the wire -- Ernie Els sneaked in under the wire. Paul

Lawrie had been so desperate to challenge for this title a few

miles north of his Aberdeen home. Not the kind of preparation Thomas

Bjorn who performed so well last year had wanted going to be open.

Headline acts remain, among stop them Phil Mickelson. -- amongst

them. Defending champion Luke Donald aiming for a double double.

He has Anders Hansen for company. Former world number one Martin

Kaymer has been struggling form -- of late, but much more comfortable,

with Peter Lawrie -- Paul Lawrie eager to back that spot. Matteo

Manassero and Ricardo Gonzalez shot 64 yesterday and are heading out on

the first tee about now. And Francesco Molinari, the leader who

set the pace and Alex Noren are both locked together at 12-under.

Amazing to think on this day last year there was a huge avalanche

across the first fairway. Today, conditions are almost perfect. A

little breeze about, a reasonable temperature, we will see plenty of

birdies. This is one of the most dramatic courses you have ever seen.

It was built in 2009, but it looked 100 years old. The rough is up, in

place it at -- in places it is vengeful. If you get out of

position you are in trouble. Driving today is going to be

critical. Find that the fairways, birdies galore. With the scenery

here it is easy to lose your concentration, just look at it, it

is amazing. You can hear the birds singing in the air. And a little

while, the players will be playing off the first tee and will be

looking for birdies, eagles, and keeping out of this vengeful rough.

Kenny's word of the day - vengeful. They have been out on the course as

play began at this morning at 7:10am, and what a birdie fest we

The man who has had three top-five finishes the season, including a

runner-up spot in Spain kept the momentum going at the 8th with this

close to it. Indeed, he would slot this one, a seventh birthday in

eight holes. -- a seventh birdie. The man who owns three European

titles. And the Dane had at this to cover,

the first nine holes in 28 shots. Crikey, and this! He is human after

all. Stunning stuff so far out on the course. This is the current

situation. Soren Kjeldsen with a one-shot advantage from Martin

Laird. Henrik Stenson, good to see him

playing well, too. Andrew Marshall of England, 6-under, had a hole-in-

one on the first goal. Shane Lowrie is trying to get into

the top five. A little further down, Louis

Oosthuizen, Thomas Levet, a former winner of the Championship, 4-under.

Luke Donald, 2-under at 11-under This is not a bad place to watch it

all, I can honestly say. We have the 15th fairway behind us and the

Moray Firth, as well. It is distracting, though there is plenty

to keep us occupied on the golf course, as well. Sorting it all in,

as opposed to just soaking, as we were last year, of we have our

commentators. A Yes, Wish You were Here, it is probably raining down

south. It hardly ever rains a peer, just a

freak accident, that is what the brochure says, anyway.

This is a fine course, no win, players are getting better and

better, sinking putts and driving wonderfully, and all that. All this

battle with pas and we must not break par, a lot of old tosh! I can

say that because I am getting old. I can say that today and tomorrow

we should see some spectacular stuff. That is not to bid.

It looks like Ricardo Gonzalez, somebody has found a ball, but not

his. This is on the first hole. It looks tight enough, but he has had

a wild slash to the right. I am not sure what he will do if he

finds it. Do you call in puff the Magic Dragon or get a bolt out? --

boat out? You must make sure you keep up with this method of playing,

or it take sued five hours to go round.

Matteo Manassero has been summoned from ruin his shoes, as well. That

is a long way right, massive. I am not sure what they're looking

for, it is gone. But if you do get a wide down there,

if you're lucky enough, it would be a miracle, you could play it.

You mean under six inches of seaweed and rocks? I suppose you

could, if you are a bit potty? Well, he has not given up hope yet.

Everywhere we look, the scoreboard and the cameras are pointing round

this delightful course. People are playing well. The odd sad moment,

but I would say 90% of the field are having an absolute bonanza and

are having an absolute bonanza and loving every minute of it. The

course is in great condition, and here is Luke Donald. He has just

won it in spectacular fashion with that 63 in the third round last

year. At this stage he is only one not to put himself under as much

pressure for the Majors. Waiting on the first tee, Francesco Molinari

and Alex Noren. They will be set off.

There he is, he has been doing it for more years than I care to

remember. He comes from Moffett, watch, steady lads... I don't know

what he is up to, he is now a 50 are away from which he was looking,

so whether this is his second ball I don't know.

That doesn't look too attractive, Andrew.

I think he is looking at taking a drop at a lateral hazard.

The year is, of course the ocean is a lateral hazard at this case -- in

this case. It is a big water hazard, isn't it?

One of the biggest I have seen. It looks a bit prettier when the

tide comes in. That is like a lot of things, it

looks a bit better when it has a bit of war paint on. These are

anxious moments for these players, no matter how experienced you are.

A little chit-chat, a little word with the caddy, a few practice

swings. Trying to control your thoughts, which is so important in

this game. Andy Sutton, in the back of Alex

Noren, who was with Ben Curtis in 2003 when he went to the Open title.

How they had a divorce? You is, they were with each other

for a long time, but no longer. He is thinking about it. This is a

nice drive of the fairway, this very precocious Italian. I like

watching him play, too. He has that towards the middle of the fairway.

-- Gonzalez. An ugly start for the Argentinian.

They never let anybody through known in modern golf. -- melodies

in the modern golf. It used to be the rule that if you lost your ball

you would like people come through. the timing is out, you're in

trouble. On the tee, Francesco Molinari. You want to get as close

he? He is one of the straightest of players. He hits it straight, finds

the greens. He's not a shabby beauty. He teed up very high. He

swept up all right off the top team. -- he swept the ball right off the

tee. We Trevino used to do that. is a good final grip. Alexander

Noren gives it a real smack, he is a very talented player. Francesco

Molinari -- Francesco Molinari, clicking to be amongst the first

brothers to win the same title. His brother as laid up with a wrist

eight under par after 11 holes. is beginning to walk a little bit

more quickly. The old hormones have started moving. Over the first two

rounds, the back nine has been playing easier than the front nine.

We are back on the first. Gonzalez hole is a par five. He's going for

the magic 59. It has not happen very often. Shane Lowry, after that

wonderful second shot on the 5th, in for a birdie. He has managed for

in his first five holes. The 6th is pleasantness of the course. The jet

-- affair was a very generous. When the wind blows, it is as difficult

as anywhere, not quite as difficult as Carnoustie or Muirfield, but

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he? He will have rooms where he is very consistent and then he just

like that all the time. On the green, chances for birdies. The end

of things for Gonzalez. He is not in yet. He has that for three-over-

par on this hole. He's thinking, is this not just a big mistake? It is

a catalogue of errors here. What a start! Three over on the first hole.

That has dropped and and 35 places. final group to stand and watch one

of the preceding players make a bit of a nonsense of it. A nice

gathering green here. A good tee green keepers think. The prepare

the courses beautifully and then every shot, a great sword flies

on the left of the green. A good opening hole. Everywhere you look,

there are wonderful views. You are pretty well all on the edge of the

well. This fairway as 45 yards wide. If you give him room, he is

dangerous. The normal service has been resumed. He just picked up

three shots in his first five. For a player at the top of the

leaderboard, that is standard procedure. Gonzalez has wasted

three shot on the first hole. Not as good as that other fella, Allen

Hansen. He wasn't a bad player in one should think I'm obsessed with

driven the par four. So close for a birdie. Matthew Baldwin, nine under

steady. A smooth par four. No stress and strain. 65 is the lowest

round of the day, from Stephen Gallacher. He has made a great leap

forward. I always enjoyed watching him play. Is that Granny? Send us

just had a little bit more pace, they would all have gone in. A nice,

steady, quiet start. There years. Our long lens. The curse of mankind.

finding the fairway. Berry good crowds here today. There is a

wonderful parking area. Last year, it was just a sea of mud. A

wonderful area. It must be 20 acres or more. You can park your car

there. Doesn't matter how many people are there, they can be

accommodated. Martin Leonard is leading the home challenge. He has

made a real move to do. Seven-under at the 15th. He places trade and

the state. He is originally from Glasgow. -- he plies his trade in

the United States. He has been struggling with this club of late.

He is not putting as well as he did for a stretch last season. The

effective. He obviously doesn't long grip. Almost like a three iron

grip. Well done. We could all those red holes. Lovely birdies. That was

is not just on songs he can put them down to the left, that would

be OK. He could well be in the of bother, flips it up for his

will please the Rotary Club of rock and -- Loch Ness, one of four

Rotary Clubs and an area. They're working with Aberdeen Asset

Management and the players' Foundation, and everybody is worth

a fiver, an eagle is worth �10, and �50 if anyone manages to get an

albatross. The boys are doing very well, which I know Mike Young and

all his friends at the Rotary Club will be delighted about. Everyone

should be congratulated on here, this is his fifth at the par

can find it. He has managed to find it here. There is plenty of trouble

either losing a lot of balls or like you're tumbling backwards.

he started with three birdies come apart, and now another birdie, and

now a dirty, ugly seven. He has to forget that and move on. You are

allowed a couple of duff shots in a round.

The magic has gone, he can't believe it. I thought he might hole

he get there? He is waiting for the green to

clear, so he certainly thinks he can. He has 295 yards into a breeze,

so he has debated to perfection. Is the grass on the fairways what

you would call tight? Not like a billiard table, is it nice?

further route down. I say, that was a bit of robbery

there, wasn't it. He judged it, I thought, absolutely perfectly.

It showed how unfortunate it was to stick there and not roll back with

his previous shot. bit awkward. ME else had four India

of the other day, not like him. -- Never missed a cut, I don't know

about that, perhaps he missed the Blackburn Alliance Championship, or

we would tee shot. All of them tiptoed by the edge. -- wayward tee

shot. Gonzalez obviously having of that was going to stop 20 yards

short -- Shaw, must have caught a us, now.

I don't think there was any way he leaderboard for now, because

overnight leaders Francesco Molinari and Alex Noren are looking

at a few of them, albeit still on 12-under. Martin Laird going very

well, 8-under, fantastic progress through 15 holes for the man who

was the first Scottish winner on the US Tour since Sandy Lyle at the

1988 Masters. He has won two titles based in the US. There are

Francesco Molinari and Alex Noren. Stephen Gallacher, you have been

hearing about what, with the keep track of all these bodies.

Padraig Harrington, 4-under at 17. I am sure he is seeing this as an

excellent warm-up for an assault on a third Open Championship title. I

am sure Luke Donald would love to win an Open. For the moment, he is

concentrating in a bit of trouble bit more of the bunker, but he has

plenty of green to work with. P is the best bunker player on the PGA

Tour in the States. That is a wonderful shot. This is a

part of golf that has improved so golf -- -- so much. There are five

or six players considered to be very good bunker players. Now

his only chance of getting close is to play a little strong back off

the slope. That shows you how much I know.

Played it beautifully, just met that perfectly.

He has played at the most difficult way, Maureen, he had to be

absolutely precise and it was it in from six inches. It is all a

and clean it and bring the book out of the back pocket just to check.

We will go to Peter Hanson for his from these guys, today. They are

challenging each other and it is working. They are both answering

the challenge. That is a shame. That is the first bad putt we have

seen for a long time. He just mishit it or was afraid of it. That

then another. This is one that you want to keep

your putter cover on, just tapping gently. I reckon he has got to hit

this about, I don't know, three feet, four feet, then gravity will

going over the top and swinging left. A little bit too bold. It

went all sorts of ways down that greens that would be almost

move. He has almost got an inevitability about his play. His

rhythm is the same all the time. I know people think it is not very

exciting, I think he is wonderful to watch.

He has not dropped a shot since the 8th hole in the first round, Luke

the Rotary Club will get a lot of money today.

Ken has added up the birdies, I think they were exactly the same in

the first and second round. A we have had a couple of albatrosses,

as well. It will have been an absolute bonanza of this week. A

Birdie fest. That looks pretty there. I must confess.

I have just been up to ski bore Castle, that is a magnificent part

player. He could come through with a vengeance, soon.

Shane Lowery is going well, Matteo week coming up shy. They are slower

greens than a lot of these players will be used to. You would think

they would have got used to it by never days, he is only 12 or 14

feet away. Peter Thompson said, if the greens are a bit slow, what are

you do? He said, I just hit them a bit harder.

along, don't fall back. It will. Great shot. That is a par four,

remember. A different wind direction,

slightly into the faces today. Alex Tangley grass. You can be an awful

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it was in previous days. The pen hall and up the other side. 29 for

the first nine holes. He must attend fritter in that as well. --

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haem -- he missed a ten-foot putt sensible. That is a very short par

four. You can get it onto the green. Nice to see the sun shining. It has

been in short supply. Alexander Noren and Francesco Molinari are

often a good start. The width of the fairway is very generous. If

you're a modest player, you can enjoy it. You're not using a ball

on every cold -- on every hole. There are not many water hazards

Again, another player just shy. extraordinary. Right on the edge of

the hole. Only a par. He is in the lead with Soren Kjeldsen. It will

go to and fro before we shut up shop tomorrow night. You'd think it

looks odds-on a play-off, with all those players bunched together.

Let's go down the leaderboard and have a look. You have 33 players

within four short of the lead. Let's have a closer look at it.

Martin Laird with just a couple of holes to go. Just about everybody

is making a good move. Francesco Molinari and Alexander Noren have

just started their rounds. We will head back to the third hole. How

will Alexander Noren play this one? He's going to do something. I don't

know whether he's going to pitch it onto the green. I would suggest, if

he has a good lie, you can play the soft little pitches that he does.

That is not a bunker, it is a shelf. I have not really seen that sort a

the tee, he is going with a six- iron, and that is not one of his

better six-iron shots. That very Scottish, use your putter! He would

do that, wouldn't you? I would take it from 60 yards down the fairway.

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Is he one of her boys? He's the Open Championship, doing well

here. He finishes with a birdie. He's playing alongside Ross Fisher,

who is nine under par. I am so pleased because I love watching him

play. He tinkers with his swing but I don't really understand, but as

long as he is playing, all is well hole. It is very close to the water

one! You could sense that was going in. It was a beautiful part with

just the right pace. -- it was a beautiful putt. 14 under par.

was a beautifully crafted birdie by Alexander Noren. Recoveries from

the left are very difficult. The pressure is back firmly on

improved a lot. Two fees. Used jointly in the lead. For those of

you who enjoy a rugby, I am going to tell you about the Bill McLaren

Foundation. Just down the road at Nairn, there is a lovely course.

There are details on the website. He will have the chance to play

here and in the run. -- and in the toughest in relative terms this

week. He's going to have to work to make par. That was a very strange

That is OK. The first of the par- three holes. This is heading

towards the castle itself. They have made a Walesa you can see

through to it. It is playing 175 hold on the golf course in which

die. He hits the ball as straight as anyone I have ever seen in my

career in golf. It is a great asset, being able to hit it straight. He

is not trying to faded in and hold it up and Reuter in, and all the

other stuff, he just hit it straight. It takes a lot of beating.

Here is Alexander Noren, with his little routine. I don't know quite

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occasion. -- not frightening the dab hand from that sort of distance.

You mentioned his first dropped shot his the 8th: the first round.

Otherwise, it has been the story of untold birdies. Ken Brown, you have

the number of birdies. For a chilly 1300. -- almost 1300. Numerous

birdies. Soren Kjeldsen has made a hat full today. Youngsters from

spectators to participate as, that is what we want. But his great to

see the youngsters out. The Golf Foundation have put a tremendous

amount of work into encouraging youngsters at school to get into

the game. Not to find great champions, but to encourage them.

Then they have to find somewhere to play. I think that golf clubs

should open their doors to people in youngsters whose parents do not

play. Now, Soren Kjeldsen with his peculiar putting style, which let

him down. He has gone to pieces. We saw him play wide and Rush won by.

He'd give it a good crack at the at the 14th. Also dropping a shot

at the 17th, Martin Laird, so he has dropped back into the grip in

second place, now. It is Francesco Molinari, Alex Noren, as you wear

at the start of the day, re- establishing supremacy at the top

of the leaderboard, but it is intriguing so far. So many just

within a handful of shots of the lead, with the possibility of

scoring. Anything is possible in the next few hours. Further down,

Luke Donald, and let's go back to the defending champion, now that

rare, Ken, to see that. You wonder how that can happen. It is so

simple looking and he is 20 or 30 yards of line. The normally so

reliable, ideally you want to bring it in to the left of the pin. That

is errant. The pin is in a little hollow, so

if he is lying OK, he has a chance. But there is a wicked stuff over

there. The good thing is, it is from high ground and he can play a

parachute shot. They came here for a sit down and they have been moved.

for the Italian. This is for his A big swing, wasn't it? 62, 10-

under, but was magical. Quite a few big names are not here, not playing

this week. What do you think, Ken, play the week before the great

Championship next week or take time off?

Jack Nicklaus always liked to take time off and go a little early the

previous week, play a couple of bones and disappear. It is horses

for courses. Just what suits you. we have had an e-mail from Kevin

Heath, he just asked that question. This is not now a true links course,

the way it is playing. This is a very beautiful caused by the sea.

It does not have a links feel about it. It would be a very different

course if it was. A lot of contours on the green, undulations on the

fairways, generous but players able there, Kent. Whether he clattered

into the spectators, he is having a look at this? Yes, I can't believe

how fortunate he is. I thought he might end up in the deep staff and

-- but the crowd have trampled this down. I would imagine he is going

to aim to the right of this hole. There is a little bank that will

slow the ball down and feed it down to the hole. If he does that and

plays it well he will get within about five feet of the hole from

here. It is quite a considerable bank on the right hand side. Yes,

if he pulls this off he can end up within about five feet. Of course,

hit it hard enough. Hit the downslope, spun it away. It ends up

looking a poor shot. Nearly all right. He was out by at least three

yards. This is how shots just slip away, isn't it, Ken? Riding on the

crest of a wave, then miscue, missed a putt, and suddenly a

couple of shots done. He is usually very frugal, and genius of his game,

he does not throw too many strokes race guys for the opening tonight

the fairway. Just a little pitched up. You were talking straight

drivers, Brian Waits was another of those players. Harrington was

another one that keeps it in play. There are players who are not so

good dynamic, you might say, but they make the very most of their

talents. They don't go off with flights of fancy, they just to do

Clark play, he was a beautiful striker off the ball, but he was

playing with injury a few times and got a bit cross with themselves.

Compare Brian waits with him and slightly easier angle. The Greens

are firm but that is very tough to get at. I don't think you should go

attack but, maybe 10-15 feet to the That is almost cheating, young

Donald. Well, he is a genius with the wedges around the green, and if

he does not pull off the shot he is a genius with the putter. One of

them is going to work, isn't it? You cannot legislate for things

like that. We have seen a lot of putts that have finished half an

inch away. That won't nearly finished out, wriggled about and

miss this one and end up with a bogey, after he played off fairly

fast, but a delightful surface. I think it is a very good course

seven at the 18th. 10-under. -- 68 below. That does not augur well for

great swathes of woodland over the new bridges going north. It is a

fascinating bit of countryside. Past Glenn Moore Ranjeet distillery,

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I did drive past, did not call in. unfortunate here. His ball has come

to rest on top of a sand filled the divot, but it is not as bad as it

might have been. He can get in behind the ball, has to be extra

careful that he does not touch any of the sand before he gets to the

forward, bowled short. -- bowled a Project at the moment. Would surely

no wind, a nice temperature... -- on purpose, there is not an awful

lot of room. A little bit to the right maybe, 10 or 15 feet to the

the course be improved with more bunkers? I think it would, Jason,

if you were having Major tournaments here, one idea or

something, maybe on some of the drivable par fours I think they

might put in some bunkers, but for the ordinary putter I think there

is enough trouble here. You have the enjoyment of the views, the

condition of the course, it is just there are so many fine courses

around here. It is interesting how that neck of the woods, it is not

easy there. If you go boldly at it you have to go over the course --

par four. A brilliant little short par four. -- is actually a drivable

goes out on a finger of land. A And you just got a glimpse of

Fort George, there. Home of the Black Watch.

Now, we're concerned with the golf and not least what is going to win

this Scottish Open Championship. Thomas Leonard moving into poll

position against Molinari and Alex Noren. You can see that we have

some little red jugs which indicates those who have already

qualified for next week's Open. Thomas Levet already won at the

French Open, and in celebration in Paris jumped into a leg -- into a

lake, broke his leg and had to forfeit his chance. Trying to get

back into the open, which for 11th time in history is going to be

It could not happen to a nicer fellow.

What a corker! that wonderful list of champions.

We will get things under way with our Open preview programme on

Wednesday night, then it is wall- to-wall live open coverage, just as

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it always edge, from 9am on it will run off the front of the

green. That was beautifully judged from Luke Donald. Ranked number one

You're looking for a divot. They do not think there is much to put back.

A birdie for Alexander Noren. Two players tied at 15 under. Use the

co-leader. Two at 15. You see how the leader board changes. Only one

player at 14 under now. The leader plays all his golf on the PGA Tour

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birdie. -- Anders Hansen. As the week has gone by, the Greens have

got fractionally faster. Still not quit. -- still not fast. Ken, it is

amazing watching Luke Donald when he has a wedge in his hand. The

rhythm is amazing, the club comes through so quietly that you

understand he has the accuracy. What is most important is the

control of a distance. That is through sheer hard work. It sets up

incapable of doing. He does not push himself. Just play. Work on

what you have got. By he reminds me a bit of Andy Murray, the tennis

golf. Some nice putts. He has held it together very well indeed.

has moved up 30 places. But is always handy on a Saturday.

great he shot here. -- two great shots here. They have been

responding to each other's bodies, it is almost like matchplay. This

is a tricky shot for Francesco Molinari. Into the slight breeze,

all sorts of ghastly, grassy like threading through the eye of a

needle. A terrific shot. With the flag on the left, if you miss it

and going left-hand bunker, it is on line. A little ambitious there.

A long way, 560 yards. If you're going to miss the green, that is

not a bad spot. All sorts of golf going on to do. -- today. Phoenix,

I went there once about 50 years ago. Between Rotherham and

that great rhythm going, as usual. You just try and it a little to the

left and has found the thick stuff. He may have a decent life. A slight

misjudgement. I have not seen many boards going up and down. Someone

asked me the difference between a port and a ship. -- a boat and a

ship. A boat can go on a ship, so I'm told. It can lifted up and

plonk it on. Doesn't that look splendid? Isn't that wonderful?

There is umpteen of those around under par. If he should win, I hope

he doesn't throw himself into the sea and break something. That was a

smart play from Alexander Noren. As Ken said, if you can't make the

bad. Better than not bad, good. He is there for three, putt for a

birdie. A very narrow putting surface. It is like landing on the

deck of an aircraft character. -- aircraft carrier. You can topple

off the side. He loves bunker shot! and bashed it into the bank. He was

lucky to get that up and out, I taking such long putting strokes.

Luke Donald has a fantastic wide. - - a fantastic life. I cannot see

from this angle, and going directly at the partition, that he will be

Quite often, out the rough, the ball back spins and goes further.

Alexander Noren has an interesting style of putting. His left arm is

pretty much dead straight. His left hand comes border right. There is a

severe angle on the right wrist. He maintains that all the way through

the stroke, so no release whatsoever. He is doing his best

not to show was that now! It has continues. There has been a couple

of times were Francesco Molinari it for a moment. It held its line

beautifully. 29 out and 29 end, it had a terrific season. Wait for

Thomas Levet, though. He could really have an electrified round.

The wind is about to get up. Yesterday, you can see the tide

becoming too common -- beginning to come in, the weather doesn't always

get up when the tide changes, but rough was almost too good, he could

not believe where he got in. It is going to move left to ride over the

professional golf you see the players tickling the putts on the

green because they are like putting on linoleum. Here they are

beautiful but they are just five mph slower than the usual they are.

Axminster rather than linoleum. What a good wordsmith you are.

Axmouth rather than linoleum. -- Axminster. Having a good look at

this, a couple of shots out of the lead, pop a couple of putts in and

you're suddenly there. Didn't that season last year. -- he lives in

some wonderful golf from Luke Donald, then he gets on the tee and

decides to play safe with an iron on a fairway that is fairly

generous, then he misses the fairway. It is quite extraordinary.

He has been struggling to save par ever since then. A unusual that he

is asking his caddy to mind the pot up. He does not do that often.

Obviously it the first putt was seriously right to left, but he is

maybe a little higher on the left side. A little doubt, but this

should be a good angle to watch his didn't it? He thought it might but

didn't trust that. He was unsure, wasn't he? Absolutely. He has

dropped a couple of shots today, you miss it you are in all sorts of

trouble. He is absolutely down the centre. Down at the white lines

now, isn't there? I think it is lovely. They handle themselves well,

they look smart. And they don't this is his tee-shot on the 17th.

It will just trickle down from total. The Ladies' Committee having

the ground and it is much more interesting played along the ground

than it is in the air. Peter Thompson was a genius at that.

I love this whole position on 11, to hit too hard with this. -- and

of the green, you have a little drift, whereas if you call straight

is any place on the green it is not acceptable to cut the flag. It

mustn't be too near the edge or in pin high. Ominous clouds rolling up.

Alex Noren is a little out of position here on seven. He has no

vision whatsoever of the green, never mind the flag, and from the

right hand side he has more humps try to fly this with a seven all

the way on to the green. -- he will closely. We're now on the seventh

hole and I don't recall Molinari been out of position at all. If he

could have walked off every tee and set his ball in an ideal position

that is what he has done. He is looking right down the throat of

needed a four here to be home in 29. I am not quite sure where he is

here on the 18th. I say, that is... has a blind he would be able to

drop it on the other side. It would not be the end of the world. There

might be a few India. That is no good. He might find Lord Lucan.

birdie. He had three weeks off. Trying to

get his sharpest to dinner, but one or two putts just wriggling by the

need to find confidence, then they There is a much bigger and wave

through the green at there than you splendid tee-shot.

We came out of our studio window, I can see Phil Mickelson coming up

the 15th. He is at 12-under. He was doing a little links practice

yesterday after his round of 54 for amateurs to be told how easy it is

to get out of bunkers, but it fall in.

I amazing, isn't it? Soren Kjeldsen is 7-under for the day and Marc

Warren is 8-under. They would win a few bob on a

around the last drive of Israel. -- the lost drive. -- wandering around

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think, particularly at this level, but at any level. Chuntering away

to yourself, it is all of the hill, letting people through... You

pretend you have not seen them, you don't care who they are. You swing

away, then you get on the tee... We had a shot yesterday, there was a

bone clump lying out on the sea. Someone had thrown a driver off of

one of the holes. We will have a look again and see if we can find

a little unlucky with his approach. What makes matters worse with --

matters worse with Thomas Levet, he has missed his last 10 cups in a

row. A four down the last hole for a 61. An amazing round of golf.

We will leave Thomas Levet looking for the ball, he will be doing some

soul-searching, I am sure, but for now, the leader in the club house,

moving up 30 places, Martin Laird with that Stella 64. What was

working especially well for you today?

I was putting really well today. Every time you are shooting and a,

you have to hole some putts. That is what went wrong in the first two

days, I never made any 15 footers, but today added.

He is one of them come at the 15th. I read some of the comments you

have been sent over the last few days, that it is putting letting

you down over the last few weeks, something that has been a real

strength for you over the last year and a half. You is, this year my

ball-striking is probably as good as it has been ever.

It just seems consistency wise, my putting has been all streaky. I got

used to putting well for idea and a half, but it has been a little

frustrating this year. Hopefully to date was the start of a nice run of

putting coming up and it will continue tomorrow. He finished

beautifully again at the 18th with another solid putt, and I was

asking about the level of support you receive around here. By

remember three years ago when you played at the Scottish Open you

wear a US based Scott. The recognition factor now must be huge.

It has definitely changed, I remember people saying he is an

American Scot, which is not what I am, but it is great to come back

and play it in Scotland. I am recognised more now, and it is

fantastic to play in front of a home crowd. Everybody I made we

picked up a few more people, and people were cheering me on.

Especially in the last, I got a good reception for a birdie and it

is a great feeling playing in front is a great feeling playing in front

of people who want to see you win. A idea good realise as we watch

Francesco Molinari there have been no Scottish winners of the

Championship since Monty in 1989. It is a big gap. The you us, I

heard that. I saw Monte There've and it has

been too long. -- eyes sock Monty there. The heirs certainly giving

you a run for your money in terms of the title.

of the title. You will be aware of that 62 from

chances go Molinari, and if you look at the way the course has been

set up it is generous, especially with the pin positions, but how

refreshing visit to come out, opened his shoulders and have a go

at course like this? In his, it is a shame it is not

playing like links course because the conditions are so favourable,

but it is a great golf cause. The first thing everyone says is, it is

fun. It is a great cause to come out on and attack some flags. It is

nice, everyone likes making birdies, it is nice to come out, as you can

see on the leaderboard, and everyone is a shooting at low

stores. A good tune up for next week, but I

know that one of your chief priorities is trying to get into

the Ryder Cup team. Just how important is that for you this

year? Be is huge. I said at the start of

the Year, it is one of my main goals this year. Read now I have

been playing well for the past couple of months. I need a good few

tournaments in the run-up to the Ryder Cup and hopefully I can play

well tomorrow, and this will be a start of a nice good run for me and

make a push to the team. We are watching Alex Noren there,

who has been playing terrifically well for the next -- last few days.

You look at the situation with the Ryder Cup, being based in America,

how much of a priority is it for some of the American players you

play with week-in, week-out. It has been a while and there are

obviously still smarting from defeat at Celtic Manor. How does

that play with them? The a want to make their team as much as the

Europeans do. It is like anything, if you get beaten like they have it

makes you more desperate to win. There may be adding extra

tournaments to their schedule trying to make that team. Both

teams are looking extremely strong and I'm sure it will be a great

tournament. So many keen days and counting for that next team, what

is the score you think is going to when this tomorrow?

They leaders at 16 now. It depends on the weather. I think we will

have to get to 20-under to win, maybe 22-under, depending what

everyone finishes at today. If there is a little breeze, this golf

course changes a lot. That may keep this goes down to the 18th, 19

range. Hopefully I will not go too far back tomorrow, but I am looking

forward to it. A we are forecast a force 10 wind

with gusts, and I can hear rain pattering on the windows. Martin,

a stunning back nine. I put of rain coming back in. A good chance for

people in the Highlands to see some of the best golfers in the world

and they have taken the opportunity. It is starting to tumble down now.

This is a fascinating Green on the eight whole. It is large and

strangely shaped. Before ideas in the bag right corner. What does

Alexander Noren have? Or Alexander Noren is further away but I don't

think he has the more difficult putt. As big, fat raindrops begin

to fall, he is still bustling around in his short-sleeved shirt.

He can be aggressive. It is a nice putt. It is one you feel you can

stroke for stroke. A slightly more difficult putt, as Maureen said.

should move a little fraction from the left. Francesco Molinari has

only had walked to single putt greens. -- has only had two single

West us see how that was breaking. Alexander Noren has a tricky putt

left. He has made 24 cuts in a row. You would think he would be a

certainty for a place in the Ryder Cup. A tricky one, Maureen? Yes, I

think he will try to keep it inside rain we have seen during the

tournament. It has been mercifully dry. Hopefully, this will not last

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Plenty of wedges and nine irons to He used to visit Ireland sometimes

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Luke Donald. A glance up at the leader board. He's just starting to

drift away a bit. His 5th shot to the final hole. This would be a

good part, wouldn't it? He has missed the hollow. A very popular

Donald role and his putt for birdie, does the same. The average score

today's 60.9. That is pretty unbelievable. -- 68.9.

A strange situation with the rain. It was prevalent last year, but we

have not seen much of it in the Highlands over the last couple of

days. Francesco Molinari is out in the teeth of this, as indeed is

Alexander Noren. There are still there, as they have been right from

the start, certainly in Francesca's case. -- certainly in Francesco

Molinari case. Francesco Molinari, almost a certainty for a place in

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the Ryder Cup. The brollies are up the right considerably from last

year. A much better view of the the eye from the overhead camera.

He was dealing with a big slope as well as the angle. Well done. He

has recovered well from that nasty seven at the 6th. 77 players made

the cut and only one man is not hold a few putts. That brings a

file -- that brings a smile to fill cruel game, isn't it? He won the

French Open just about the same time last year, jumped in the water,

broke his leg and hasn't been quite the same since. This is his chance

to pick up a huge amount of money and. And get into the open, but a

double bogey at last. 66 with a double bogey at last for Thomas.

A great view Alexander Noren has of the second shot on the 9th. He just

wants to pop this down about five or six feet to the right hand side.

gets a lot of spin on it. A very Molinari. It is in a slight

depression. The bonus is that he has plenty of green to work with.

He has some 25 yards of green from duffer, Maureen? If you get a grain

of sand before the ball, it makes you look a bit silly and you feel

quite embarrassed. I am surprised he did that. It was not the

greatest lie but I thought he would two, for the first eight holes, but

I think they are now going to be separated. Ice-cream in sub-zero

temperatures. It is actually not bad cold today. Mickelson has

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with his kids, wandering around. We were wading through the puddles on

swooping down the hill. Hard to believe it was just finished in two

days under nine because it looks like Prestwick or some old golf

far. He let that one slip. They may still be tied together after this

read. -- putt. The Russi ridge that runs diagonally across. I'm not

sure how much that will influence it. -- there is a wrench. If in

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hill to the 13th. In a good it. All words to get that. Does

Kelson have another birdie? He does. Another round from Soren Theo

Hobson. -- Soren Kjeldsen. An untidy back nine, compared to the

round of golf. 15-under and tied for third. Eagle, bogey, birdie.

You enjoy that when you are both playing well. Two 64s. Let's go and

you think, it must, it must, it must but it clings onto the high

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There is a sneaky bunker there but Perhaps he can spark into life on

seeking a few holes in out there. Enjoying that wonderful course to

stop the road. -- Nairn. You like your freshwater fishing, not sea

fishing. It is still nice to be out in the fresh air. Bracing. HAZEL

IRVINE: Red figures all the way. Molinari and Alexander Norman

playing together. -- Noren. Both looking for a place in the Open

Championship, Marc Warren and Martin Laird. As is Peter Whiteford

at 14-under par. Mickelson with one hole to play. 13-under par. Further

round, -- further down, good rounds from Stenson and Simon Dyson. And

Luke Donald, after 13 holes beginning to drift backwards.

Three-under is not good enough. Manassero picking up his first shot

at the 10th. A good round from Stephen Gallacher. He is down to

23rd. Padraig Harrington, 67 today. All the scores are well under-par.

Some pressure if you are not picking up birdies. Back at the top,

Molinari and Noren, tied for first. Tied for third, Marc Warren and saw

Tied for third, Marc Warren and saw Kjeldsen. A very profitable

partnership today. Both 64s. And the story of these respective

rounds is the story of your front row -- from nine, so run. You had

that putt for 28. What was the catalyst for this? I don't know. I

played well on Thursday but I did not have the best of days yesterday.

I did not do any work yesterday, I felt like I should leave it. I have

my kids here so we had a bit of fun instead. I came out, playing grade.

After a slow down, Marc Warren took over. Indeed. What a finish. Eagle,

bogey, birdie. After such a solid day, unfortunately I made a bogey.

Kjeldsen got off to an absolute lie and I tried to catch him up. When

you look it you're career, links golf has played such a big part. It

was at the Dunhill links last year that you got back on the path to

recovery. I have to ask, how much you enjoy this style of golf?

Especially with the conditions, there are so many different shots

available. I really enjoy that aspect of it. Instead of bombing in

and just flying it into the hole every time. Fortunately, I managed

to score a pretty good sometimes. Especially today. And a nice

handshake and a little smile from the two of you. Were you egging one

another on? I would say so. When I saw I was going to play with him, I

thought it was great. I do not understand most of what he says,

and I think that is one of the reasons why he plays well in

Scotland. People understand him here. All over the rest of the

world, they just look at them! I think he enjoys that. I always

enjoy his company. It is great to see the two are you playing so well

together. Thank you. -- two of you. together. Thank you. -- two of you.

It is a lovely game, golf, everyone enjoys playing with each other.

There are horrible looking clouds hovering over the Black Isle to the

only three yards from the edge of the green. You can get to the

gravel on the edge of the Moray shot down the wind. -- Luke Donald.

Downwind, it is a different shot. He just needs a little spark on the

closing holes, Luke Donald. Otherwise the lead is just sneaking

away. This does not look too easy. The right hand portion of the

screen is on one level but the Noren. He said yesterday, he is

happy with his putting, particularly his judgment of speed

Alexander Noren 10 goals at that and he would not have managed it

quit as well. Initially, Francesco Molinari was second, under the cosh,

and suddenly, he has a putt to go putt today. He has done it. It was

trying to wriggle out. Suddenly, they haven't scored the same on

every hole. Francesco Molinari really. Once the wind changed

direction. That was the first cry I have heard of, getting the hole! He

will be getting frown that as we speak. More action on the water

there. Something just leapt out green and two. That is now the

simplest of birdies. Five under for his round. I don't care for these

much, Ken. The ruin the peace and background! I hope people phoning

up them as well. -- I hope people are frowning at them. Look Donald

still has a little bit of work to behind the leaders. Pablo there,

just finishing out on the 18th. He moved up to that group on 13 under

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often does. He qualified for the last Ryder Cup team in 2010. He is

on the cusp of making this one as well. It is a little bit sheltered

quarter of a club shy. The ball spins up into the breeze. A

different way of playing the game from Francesco Molinari. Keeps

sending in your thoughts. Peter said that he had been told that the

difference between a ship and are bought -- a ship and a boat. Some

other centres in the definition, ships are craft that Sale on water.

Boats refer to submarines. It has changed. It has got darker and

chillier. Good, they have run out of petrol. It has been staged

greenkeeper at Royal Calcutta. He learnt his trade the hard way. He

has two wins in his native India. A good score from Jack McDonald, the

amateur. He made the cut by Some moisture on the green slows

everything up a little. He is Alexander Noren. It was coming

when we started, we had a north- westerly breeze and now the wind

has changed completely to north- easterly. The temperature has

correspondingly dropped and quite heavy rain is falling. It is yet

another birdie opportunity for putting stroke over the last few

days. Little unlucky there. It seemed to dive to the right. That

is the first one I can recall that he has missed from that range. He

still leads by one shot. Just a little tester for Alexander Noren.

As this rain continues to fall, it takes any subtle breaks out of the

putts. Particularly those close to wind direction, the 12th, the par

five, will be more formidable. not be too difficult. He is such a

delightful, deaf tripper. He has four wedges in his bag. -- deft.

What is the difference between a chip and a pitch, says the war from

Holland? -- says Theo. A question of backswing, perhaps? With his

breeze blowing, it will not be so easy to find a fairway here. The

second shot, you play up the hill. UN cited to the green. The flag

used three from the left. If the ball ventures to the left, you run

off down the bank and there are some thick stuff there. There are

lots of undulations on the green. fairway. Because you're hitting

towards the rough, it is very thick further up the whole, but for the

tee shot, it is not that bad. I saw Phil Mickelson fired it into the

bushes from this whole. You have to pick your target and the side and

the let, repeated in the gorse bushes. That is almost certainly

lost. This is three off the tee, to go back to the tee. He can run

up a big score at this hole. I think Graeme McDowell run up a big

score here last year. Was it a nine or 10? A it is a dangerous tee-shot,

Noren's tee-shot, was that he pulled out of swearing, saying the

wrong word. He managed to avoid disaster.

A left he just went for it in Swedish at which case we are none

goodness. It could be on the path, otherwise it is in the gorse bushes.

I think that is one of the worst shots I have ever seen him play.

Extraordinary. I saw the ball peer for a moment, but sometimes you

cannot see the quality of the lie. quite like that. I have seen him

push a shot to the right but to go even further left of a crazy angle.

Did he have an awkward start? not quite there. -- I am not quite

the 18th. He will move to 14-under He has a couple of Dolly Partons to

go over. He has judged it very from last year, where he is looking

in there. As you can see by the number of people who have gone over

to help, we all assumed it -- they're just was no chance.

appeared to go in the gorse. problem was, the people around the

court did not see it. It is total guesswork. The tee is out of sight

for the players so they will not have seen it either. I think you

cut your losses and you take the provisional. That is what he has

some quite interesting, a huge amount of grass. -- there is Luke

Donald's ball. It is quite interesting, a huge amount of grass.

Plenty of green to work with. That shot went straight left. He needs

to get a really good contact on this one. He can pull it off if he

gets a good contact. But there is so much grass around the ball.

seems to be perched up a little. He has to be careful not to get too

many practice swings close to the ball for some he has to get it up

quickly. -- close to the ball. He has to get it up quickly. Where is

the green? The whole position is on the other side of the green. If he

gets it over the ridge, the ball open clock face, it is so easy to

DS! That was stunning. -- yes. So much have -- so much could have

gone wrong. He needs something like that because his defence, his title

defence is fading. So many players are in front of him. That was very

skilful. He did not have the face too far open. He made sure to

follow through. He has a contented it up as far as he can looking for

He has had 63 birdies and an eagle His wife encouraged him to come and

play here. They were doing a Roman Tour. They came here to play and to

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displays of frustration from Luke Donald. But now he is down into a

tie for 20th place, six shots behind Molinari, and all those

players in front of them, -- in Molinari and his playing partner,

in for a bit. The clouds are coming Noren is so far left he is almost

in the Moray Firth. Who said that? Where did you think it was? The red

jacket, yeah? Alex, there is a guy here. What has happened, he had a

quick snatch at the 4th shot. It has sailed way off in towards the

Moray Firth. It is well wide. He did not reload because of peer you

have read sticks indicating water hazards. -- because up here. He

will be playing six now. It does not take long to unravel around

here at Castle Stuart and undo all of the good of the early birdies.

This is one hole when you can run up a big score. People have in the

past. This is a shocker now for it today. He ran up a seven on the

first after killing a couple of dolphins with shots into the Moray

Firth. At least hunting around here, 4-over for the round, the

equivalent of 70 over on many courses. Let us leave him. Take

away the stick, yeah? He is looking to find the most advantageous spot

to drop his ball. Where the grass is shorter. He hears. He has done

OK but not brilliantly. -- here he Donald's challenge is fading.

golf has changed with the change in the weather. More mistakes, more

than we have seen in the last couple of days. It has got quite

cold and changed dramatically. the fairway. This is his six shots.

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You have to put the flags in a suddenly got very chilly. The rain

is coming down now, really look for a ball? From the time the

player gets to wear the ball, he thinks, is, from the tiny start

searching it is five minutes. -- the time he starts searching. Hazel

the time he starts searching. Hazel Irvine is with Phil Mickelson.

64 yesterday, followed up with 65 today. How confident are you about

your chances on the final day tomorrow? I do not know how many

shots I will be behind heading into the final round but I like the fact

that I have played well in the last few days. I look forward to a fund

final round. I will try to make a run at the lead but more than that,

I feel like my game is starting to improve. Each day and very happy

that I have made the decision to play in Scotland and I hope I will

have a good round tomorrow. On your wish-list, according to your

comments yesterday, was a bitter wind and a bit of a challenge. The

course is soft and receptive. What difference will it make if you get

a good gust of wind tomorrow? think that the teeth of the course

will come out. When the wind gets up there, when the rain comes out.

We will see more bogies and we will see the golf course play the way it

is capable of playing. You can still make some birdies on holes,

and you can still shoot a low scorer and make a run at the lead,

but we will not have the same situation like today where it was

playing very easy and guys were shooting 6, 7, 8, 9-under par.

point of interest, what do you prefer? Of the sadistic challenge -

- the sadistic challenge or the protected set up here? This golf

course is the perfect balance. It is a very fair task, a challenging

task when the weather comes in but you can still shoot a few under-par.

Nobody enjoys a USO contest. There is nothing fun about it. It is just

hard. -- US Open test. I enjoy golf courses like this. They are

designed to accommodate bad weather and, unfortunately or fortunately,

we have had perfect weather the first few days. It looks like an

easy course but it is not. It is a stern test and tomorrow, if the

wind comes out, you will see how difficult it 10p. -- it can be. I

wonder if your mind is racing forward? Well, heading into next

week's Open Championship, it was important that I started to play

better and score better. And to get into a better frame of mind. The

last few days have been helpful. I'm not looking forward to the Open.

I am not looking forward to it until after this tournament. The

best way to prepare for next week is getting in a good competitive

frame of mind, staying focused and controlling my ball flight.

will tomorrow. -- play well You're as good good dancers from

Phil Mickelson. -- you always get good answers from Phil Mickelson.

In these conditions, the lovely play and easy scoring become very

difficult. The caddy is shielding him from elements for as long as he

an untidy ball. Expensive. A triple bogey. Three shots blown into the

shops in the last hour or so. That was rather lucky. That could have

gone in the nasty stuff. But it Come-on. Over the humps and stops

birdie on the first nine holes. He did every hole in par. It is

getting rather nasty now. I have an e-mail hear from David. Too easy,

too little challenge, boring. I am going out. Why not have a drainpipe

from tee to green? Even the players looked bored. David, sit down and

pour yourself a large one and relax. Luke Donald, for his birdie. He has

it! You can keep a good man down for long, can you? That was an

added bonus. That was, or what, 12 yards away? Probably more. He has

had a few up and down holes. He has made some uncharacteristic mistakes.

Doesn't matter what score wins, does that? Does it matter whether

it's 16 under a level par, as long as the best player wins? If the

Greens are too slow, they're too slow, too fast, there are too fast,

the winner will not complain. have got some very challenging hole

positions to do. This is one of into the sanctuary of the club

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house. Keep going, take a little over that dip on the right hand

performer. 68. Janet has been his caddy for a long time. She caddied

going to be a cavalry charge tomorrow, isn't it? It will be

quite extraordinary. As you said earlier, it is supposed to be quick

This guy's a lightning coming in from the north. -- the sky is a

lightning. Some more sun is peeping through. It is a little bit better

quite a long way if he is going with a five-iron know that the wind

has dropped. That is an elementary mistake, I would think. A man with

his experience. If he had gone with a four-iron, he would have got a

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Good bounce. Yes. That is the way you do it. Walk-out! What a

cracker! No champagne, but a couple of light ales for that one. A

beautiful shot. Here they come. I have had an impassioned letter from

Bruce Morrison... Hold on a minute! Watch where it pitches. Get a nice

bounds forward. It checks a little bit. I thought it might have gone

in. It a strain up at the end. A letter about it the wind farm that

has been proposed near by. There it is. It is a way up there and they

will be sticking up on the horizon if they have their way, but if Mr

Morrison has his, you won't get it We talk about Luke Donald, but I

don't think anyone here today... this, keep the clubs try. - man

driver. That is not easy. You need three or four clubs in the bag as

well. At two over played golf with washing up globs? The keep your

hands wonderfully dry! I have not. I know there's a poster work.

will probably not suit your complexion, but they work very well

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Donna? -- Dornoch? That is in Thomson's favourite courses. He

loves it up there. It is brightening up. Shirt sleeves are

out again. Peter, when you mentioned that, I played there back

in 1979. Were you in short trousers? There are was only 17.

great golf course. I actually feel sorry for Anders Hansen. He made a

champion. He used to be under par for to do. Very much in the hunt.

Here we are, in for the two. Just weather. You say you only have to

be around for half an hour on the weather changes. We're back to some

her conditions now. -- summer conditions. Francesco Molinari

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We have seen dozens of putts on the a communication. Why don't

professionals play more provisional balls. It saves a lot of time, time

is wasted walking back to the tee. It is a good point. It is one of

those complicated rules about Provisionals. I think it would be a

very good thing. We used to, years ago. We used to play two balls. We

would have a drop all. Moving in sophisticated circles, it is

supposed to be getting better. Had you see it? I am not entirely sure.

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It is a bit of a problem. Sunshine the corners. A big bunker in front

of the green, which has caught many out. As we swing back, you can see

the fairway coming around. The idea for the amateur is to play with

those people are. And then pitched it up onto the green. -- pitched it

HAZEL IRVINE: There has been a lot of movement on this third day. The

man more or less at the top of the pile, Francesco Molinari with a

two-shot advantage. Marc Warren and Kjeldsen playing together today,

and I'm sure they would love to be playing together tomorrow. That is

an excellent partnership. Anders Hansen also in that group,

negotiating the last. And then we have Martin Laird, and Phil

Mickelson making a charge. Further down, progress for Peter Lawrie,

not as spectacular as the last couple of days. Chowrasia of India,

also firmly in this. These two have not qualified for the Open so there

will be a battle for that one place tomorrow. Henrik Stenson has not

qualified diver but a good round of 66 from them. -- qualified either.

Good to see him getting back to better form. It has been a couple

of years since we have seen his best. Luke Donald has tailed off as

Andrew and Peter were saying. Martin Cannard, 3-under. -- Martin

Kaymer. That is how it looks, it is wedges. It is a lovely shot, and a

very teasing flight position. Bouncing on a little bit. A little

bit of wind has gone up in the last few moments. Come on, yes, it is

dropped a shot. Bowside Ecofin watchers. Waiting for them too hot

-- hop out of the water, is that the plan? The whole debate to

attempt the dolphins. -- are they believe he is not in the Open yet.

Just outside the rankings. That Sky looks very, very ominous. Sweeping

through. Squally showers. We have not long left, maybe an hour. It

looks good. That is his 4th shot, nearly a birdie. He had a seven at

the 6th. Dropped one other shot. He should be roundabout 69, not bad.

There have been so many 64 and fives, you think that 69 you have

lost ground. Playing alongside Thomas Aiken, 4-over par for his

round. Just about the worst. David between him and his followers.

gay M I come up short. -- again, It is an interesting situation with

him. He normally likes to go far all left and kick it on to the

green. But that shot will not work out and buy a few tickets, if I

miss the bunker?" You did and you have the chance of an equal. -- an

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concentration despite the our high camera up near the

commentary position on the 18th green. It is a delightful clubhouse

on the left, modern, almost 1930s style. It is very comfortable, but

not very big. Wonderful views across the water. All in all, a

delightful facility. If that had been a bunker in front of the green,

he would have been inept. But it is a false bunker. -- he would have

been in it. I do not know how he avoided it. But there we are. Luke

Donald has had three dropped shots today, but six birdies. And at

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Molinari. Alexander Noren took advantage of that nice little

bounce, as this is an eagle to get couldn't. -- slipped off the

hillside. A three would have been a bit cheeky after that second shot,

but Luke Donald, the defending champion, keeps himself well in

been keeping pretty much the same score all the way round. He needs

this for a birdie to get to 13 under, same as Luke Donald.

Ind she draws, that gives him to 13 under. -- in she goes. 65, second

place at the moment. No blemishes birdies. Luke Donald, striding off.

Looking in good shape. along the top, the water on the

right. -- the first hole.

Moller now eight leading, just one shot in it. I don't think he is

going to be overtaken tonight. Peter Laurie is going well, a

couple of holes to go. Shiv Chowrasia, these are the last of

the more piquant, two or three together I think, the odds are, if

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you are a betting man, it will be a under par. -- he stays in that big

group. Eight players in their on that score. -- here is Peter

sensuous about a nice ice-cream. Except if you have got some

fillings. But -- there is something. The chap there has dropped it down

his front. Old men do have to be dropping down their shorts. It is

usually a club tie you with a bit which there is still very little.

Molinari favouring the right hand side. Alex Noren is in a good

position on the fairway, because he is by far the better line. -- to

eight left. Molinari can just see too precise. You don't always have

to plead Guinness Book of Records shots. From here he has a good view

of it, but there is nothing wrong purpose? He will say he did. I can

think of a few people who would, using control, using the spin. That

That is the worst shot he has played this week. It just flew off.

That happens sometimes, a quick rhythm, the club comes in too fast,

accelerates away and about his 20 yards past the target. -- that is

have not seen one of those since Molinari. Four holes to play. Mark

Warren and Soren Kjeldsen playing together. There is Luke Donald,

defending champion, who followed that opening 67 with a couple of

68s. Let's get his thoughts after 68s. Let's get his thoughts after

his first round. -- third round. HAZEL IRVINE: it all was going

swimmingly, then one or two mistakes crept in. How do you sum

it up for us today? A cup lower of those a loose shots really cost me,

I made a couple of birdies, and looking at the score as everyone is

a shooting 65s and 64s. It was due to a couple of loose

irons. I probably felt very comfortable, the most comfortable I

have felt for a while. The swing feels like it's getting close, so I

feel excited about that. Give us see it assessment of your chances

tomorrow. We remember on the final day last year it was a 63 and you

came through the pack to win it. Is it a low number you need tomorrow,

do you think? Are that will depend on the weather, obviously. If it is

calm again I am going to have issued a number like that to have

any chance. If there is a bit more weather, more wind, then 67 or 66

may be good enough. Certainly, I know how to shoot a 63 around here,

especially on a Sunday. You have a bit of a whether it -- but of

whether to deal with, it is glorious now, but you had a mixed

bag. It was very to double out there, the wind changed direction a

few times, we had rain, son, a few showers.

A bit of a mixed bag, a bit like my own play. The says the 69th, how is

the flat stick form at the moment? I feel it is decent. I have a good

routine going now, I have been working to settle down a little bit.

It is always a tough transition coming to greens like this when you

play in the US a lot. This is obviously one of the reasons I am

playing here, do get in that routine for next week. I know if

you one is thinking about next week, and you have been hearing about --

from your sports psychologist, and I guess he is trying to work on

making you uncomfortable. You have always talked about the build-up to

a major championship and how are tight you get. What other things

you are trying to do to counteract that? I guess we all have free will,

so it is about making that choice to go out there and control how you

want to feel. Obviously, in the past, perhaps the feelings have

taken control of me a little and I have been too anxious, too excited

to get going, I have to get out there and approach it like a normal

event, relax and play with fun and no fear. We wish you the best of

luck with that, and of course for we're getting very deep here. This