14/07/2013 Golf: Scottish Open

far in the UK, as many of you slapping on the after sun will know.

Here in the Scottish islands mercifully a little bit cooler on

the third day of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. What a

blistering summer of sport we've already had with justice rose

winning the US Open and Andy Murray igniting a wildfire of celebration

at Wimbledon. Now it's golf's turn in the spotlight once again, because

The Open Championship is firmly on the horizon next week. But this

Scottish Open is much more than just a tune up for Muirfield, this is a

great title to have on your CV. As many of the world's elite coughers

will tell you. Yes! Some cracking golf.

Four rounds under 70 and the Winner from Italy, Francesco

So who will be king of the castle for the third year? There were seven

major champion who's started out in this large field on Thursday,

amongst them the highest ranked player in the field, Phil Mickelson

and the reigning Open champion, Ernie el. At the halfway stage

there's a Scott in charge. Chris Douok led the field -- Doak led the

Douok led the field -- Doak led the Harrington couldn't make the number.

They would not be part of the birdie fest in Inverness.

Gareth Maybin is and he rocketed up the leaderboard. He's 13 under. Five

time tournament winner last year Branden Grace in hot pursuit. He's

12 under as the momentum an the hee began to build on the third day.

Ross Fisher's approach here would yield a birdie to put him 12 under

par. The former Ryder Cup star who spent the first part of the year in

America, was on a roll. He'd accept just the one shot bonus to go 13

under. Now this year -- this year has seen

Henrik Stenson turned in a 64 on Friday and was firing again on

Saturday. Second shot to the third hole and the putter would do the

rest. Stenson on 12 under. Could Ross Fisher take the lead? Yes. He

moved to 14 under. Speaking of three in a row, Phil Mickelson's round

exploded into life from the eighth, then he slotted that at the 12th.

This year's Spanish Open champion Raphael Jacquelin was moving in

style too. He set up an eagle chance We go to the 13th and Phil

We go to the 13th and Phil He seems to be finding his game

Ken, he's scrambling a bit at the moment.

It's been a nerve-Januaryingling start to the round. He's hanging in

start to the round. He's hanging in start to the round. He's hanging in

He's still capable of the magic. I He's still capable of the magic. I

A few misreads would know that. -- we know that.

Yes! Well done, Matt. Now he'll feel a whole lot better.

Six at the first, but two birdies now, so back to even for the day.

I like his attitude after that six. I like his attitude after that six.

I like his attitude after that six. Not many players get it on the

surface in two. But this is a surface in two. But this is a

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surface in two. But this is a Isn't this the most beautiful par

Isn't this the most beautiful par Isn't this the most beautiful par

Yes! Well done, three?

played some lovely stuff today and has left a couple of putts out.

People still ask if there is a Loch Ness Monster. Of course there is!

What would Scottish tourism be without it? A beautiful part of the

world especially on an afternoon Oh, dear. Loads of sand and no

Oh, dear. Loads of sand and no Oh, dear. Loads of sand and no

A lovely two for Branden Grace at A lovely two for Branden Grace at

Perfect, absolutely perfect. 11.

He could be very close. Look at that, come on. He can putt it from

that, come on. He can putt it from that, come on. He can putt it from

Three birdies now, so that's him one Three birdies now, so that's him one

Well done. He was always looking at six. In the

He was always looking at six. In the end, he did well to make the six.

Back-to-back bogeys, which is Back-to-back bogeys, which is

He's done very disappointing.

He's played a lovely shot. Great He's played a lovely shot. Great

I think we can put Phill down for Castle Stuart. I think the courtship

was short. It was love at first was short. It was love at first

was short. It was love at first was short. It was love at first

Oh, wonderful. That will give him a Oh, wonderful. That will give him a

That went in like a rabbit into the hole. It disappeared so quickly, in

hole. It disappeared so quickly, in hole. It disappeared so quickly, in

hole. It disappeared so quickly, in What a wonderful view over the myrrh

yay Firth. That's Loch Ness running He's still new in his career. Only a

He's still new in his career. Only a pro for two, three seasons. He plays

with a smile on his face, though. That makes him quite a likeable

character. It's all those years in character. It's all those years in

character. It's all those years in conventional. Right on the upslope.

17 has not been kind to Phil Mickelson. A bogey on day one, a par

place next week, he has already hit some wonderful shots from around the

greens. He has adapted to the bounce, as well as the slower

putting surface. Simon Khan at the 10th. A good recovery from the

Englishman. This will come round a gets windier, it gets slower, that

could be an issue. John Parry, to Grace. He is one of four men tied at

the top. If he knocks that in, he might get a spot for himself. All

Simon Khan. He has not taken the chance. The Gervinho said prose that

putt four pars are like dogs who Doak. He is two shots off the lead

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all the way on? A bit too long. Here Four birdies in the first five

holes, and another at the 11th. The rest have been pars, but at least

two of them could have been birdies. This is the third. One or two missed

chances for the South African, but he is still in the lead, along with

in three weeks, after the victory in Ireland. That is for par. The smile

is back on his face. He is currently two shots behind. Phil Mickelson

within reach at 18. He plays downhill. A touch of breeze behind.

Depends how close that gets to the wall of the bunker. There is no

difficult. You can make a lot of birdies, but if you get the wrong

side, it is almost impossible. But I am in a good position for tomorrow.

When you were the victor in Ireland, you said it was half

relieved and half satisfaction. How is it now? It is still the same

feeling, but it is lighting a fire under being. I can really play some

great golf for the rest of the coming up two yards short will run

off the green. Dear. That is fantastic. How good is that? Superb.

A bit of stubbornly grass behind himself? He is sharing the lead. It

make him feel a whole lot better. It has been a torrid front nine for the

short 11th. A little downhill for Phil Mickelson. It starts to flatten

out. He has not made much of long range today. He said the best last.

He just put himself in position to win his first European tour event.

great sense of theatre, Phil Mickelson. The short 11th is like a

posted stamp. It faces off the face. He has hit some beauties this week

eighth hole. What ignited the charge? You want to get off to a

good start, because you have great nerdy opportunities early on. On the

eighth hole, I try to be more patient. I had a good shot in there.

The pot seemed to ignite the rest of the round. I do not think it will

hold up in the lead, but you never know. I got into a good position for

tomorrow. A lot of players have chosen not to come, but what kind of

advantage do you feel this is giving due? As the week is warning --

wearing on, my touch and short game have got better. All of my touch

shots have gotten sharp in the last few days, because I have been able

to crack this. The area that I have enjoyed of the areas off the tee. If

I can do that tomorrow, I should be able to the aggressive in the pins.

one was better. A lovely tee shop from Henrik Stenson. He gets the

birdie. Six players at 13 under par, one behind Phil Mickelson. Wonderful

bunker at the 10th. 112 yards for Chris Doak. You would put some sand

in off the back foot. That is the left, four to the right. You have

the week. The final pair, Chris Doak and Peter Uihlein. Both with

wonderful birdie chances. That is a real shame. After getting his birdie

at nine, another chance at ten. It will be a par for the overnight

leader. It is getting colder and windier. Moray Firth is beginning to

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come into life. The views are superb Branden Grace has also missed putts

today. The scoring opportunities have been there. That is how he

reached that point. He has not dropped a shot today. He could have

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had a few more, but six birdies on birdie to close with. It's a round

of 66. He started with 64, then he stood still yesterday. Back with a

stood still yesterday. Back with a stood still yesterday. Back with a

It's all about controlling the spin It's all about controlling the spin

That disappeared quickly. That disappeared quickly.

He's played a Beautifully holed.

That was the third shot from Peter That was the third shot from Peter

That was the third shot from Peter Uihlein. Nice touch.

A tricky spot here for Henrik Stenson.

Is that wind coming across him from the right? He could cut it up

against that. That's the only chance he had.

That's what he did as well. A beautiful shot.

beautiful shot. beautiful shot.

Well done. He's normally very That's nicely done. Still something

That's nicely done. Still something That's nicely done. Still something

The hole is towards the back of the The hole is towards the back of the

18th green. He played a very nice shot, but no

spin from there and it might go spin from there and it might go

Hanson has this slightly downhill, This man could give it a shot. Has

It would be a shame to not make this for Stenson after playing that

beautiful pitch shot in here. Not Yes. That wind is really picking up.

You can hear it in our cans. Stenson You can hear it in our cans. Stenson

leads on his own. Apart from the first half dozen

holes in the first round, he's played superbly. He watched that

first round and he was struggling alongside Els. Suddenly he picked up

on the back nine and since then, he's never looked back, Henrik

This was the putt that Mickelson hold and he. Same. Brilliant. Good

attempt from the young South African after dropping a shot at 17. Just

that solitary blemish on the card at Tough hole this. Especially with the

Tough hole this. Especially with the He's given it an almighty hit. Only

three birdies so far here today. one up there all week. Regardless of

one up there all week. Regardless of the win last year. What is it about

this style of golf that appeals to this style of golf that appeals to

you? Back home, I grew up when the weather is not always great as well.

The wind blows a bit. I feel comfortable in this state.

Obviously, I had my second wind last year, the lynx is in me. I feel

comfortable out there. I feel play and I like visualising the shots.

You need those things around the course. It's just working out so

course. It's just working out so You can see what it means. Well

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we move on, after 6pm here on the we move on, after 6pm here on the

That's an absolute beauty. It really is. After a well played, ill-advised

pitch shot, he has this downhill, pitch shot, he has this downhill,

right to left for par. As you were saying earlier, Dougie,

15 has been the most difficult hole 15 has been the most difficult hole

where he came. Stay right there. Khan taps in for his birdie.

impressed with him over three days. Very solid tee to green. Not a lot

It didn't turn as much as he hoped. He's left himself a nasty one for

He's left himself a nasty one for Look at this, are we going to see

It doesn't break as much from the It doesn't break as much from the

Oh, yes. Well done. I think that makes it about four birdies on the

JB, just 22 trying to get to 13 Two rare birds back-to-back, at 15

This is a situation of reading the line. You can just see the top of

the ball. You have to allow for the fact it will jump forward, plus the

bounce. Oh, it's flew, it's over the green.

His judgment, sadly, is spot on. What a great attempt. What a come

back from him after the double bogey back from him after the double bogey

Matthew Southgate is up there, only Matthew Southgate is up there, only

Delicate pitch from the rough here Delicate pitch from the rough here

Delicate pitch from the rough here You forget chipping down breeze on a

lynx golf course takes away some of lynx golf course takes away some of

He really has struggled, though. If he can finish off reasonably well

and live to fight tomorrow. After birdies at 16 and 17, this for

After birdies at 16 and 17, this for How much is the wind helping the

players? Is it more across from the right, it must be helping a little?

You'd think in that situation it would feel like a double bogey at

18. Still three good rounds, 12 He does create tremendous club-head

speed. A little twirl means it's speed. A little twirl means it's

pretty good. pretty good.

pretty good. pretty good.

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birdie. Now bringing the double of shots going straight into the

bush. That is about the worst shot he has hit today. That is never

going to help your confidence. But you are right, you want to aim it in

the middle of the green and cut it up. It looks like what each right to

Just a bit clumsy there. A good four or five feet below the level of the

green. The fear of the ball coming back to his feet. Ross Fisher has

had birdies on the first three holes. He adds to the bogeys. He

birdied 16. He missed at five and six. Six is a reachable par five.

Put the thinking cap on. The sixth bogey. Henrik Stenson was lucky. He

had a perfect line. He will play a low shot and run it up the ridge,

where the whole is located. A stroke of genius. Despite the errant second

shot, it will be a tap in to move to 16 under. Deservedly so. That is the

only bad shot he hit today. Followed by one of his best. If it stayed the

way it is now, it would be Henrik Stenson and Phil Mickelson in the

final group tomorrow. There would not be too many complaints about

that pairing. He has a slow one the challenge tour last year, he

finished fourth in the rankings. was always going to be tricky to

somewhere. Hopefully, she saw that. You can sense the talent.

number today. That was impressive. His only drop shot since the front

line -- the front nine in round one. He has been consistent all year, and

he leads by two shots, humming to by the young Danish golfer, just 22

years old. Henrik Stenson will offer Two over for his round today.

committed follow-through. One of the few to land it on the green. A just

spectators need hard in that how comfortable are you in these

situations? We will see tomorrow! It is great to be back in contention.

To get the adrenaline going again. It is about being in position when

there is nine to go, and I am up there. I will carry on doing what I

did today, hopefully it will be as good tomorrow. It looks like a

pairing with Phil Mickelson. It is great, I have always enjoyed playing

for the best players will stop --. It will be a great opportunity

tomorrow. I enjoy playing with him, excellent teashop from Chris Doak.

Well deserved, one of the best shots we have seen over the last hour or

so. It has been a tough day. But it left shoulder low. Make sure that

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Northern Irish golfer. Chris Doak bogeys on the 17th and 18th. He

played some very nice golf in between. He is four shots behind

is shots back from -- six shots back from Henrik Stenson. A bit of

separation today now. Spectacular views over the Moray Firth. Over to

the Black Isle, up to the very north of Scotland. We can see the big

trusts of grass. He will have to pick the club up. The ball will come

birdies in a row. But he has battled back well after a fraught and

disappointing day. He started leading the tournament, and he ends

another round in the 60s, he needs to make this. 67 and 66, this 469.

his head. See if it was technical or emotional. He is still close enough,

round, sort code at the ready, there is a �500,000 first prize heading

into somebody's bank account shortly. An extra incentive, a spot

is being held in reserve for the champion, unless he has already

qualified, for the open championship, just a few hours drive

described as truly fair, it has produced a distinguished list of

champions of. We will have the preview programme on Wednesday

night, then live coverage from Thursday morning, 9am. Get the

supplies in. Before that, unfinished business here. We are in for an