:00:29. > :00:35.Hello from a Dundonald on the Ayrshire coast, where the Scottish
:00:36. > :00:39.summer has really kicked into gear. It is a darker day for the third day
:00:40. > :00:43.of the competition at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open. The
:00:44. > :00:47.strongest field of the season so far in Europe has gathered here this
:00:48. > :00:50.week all with hopes of adding their names to an illustrious list of past
:00:51. > :00:55.champions and set down a marker ahead of next week's Open
:00:56. > :00:58.Championship. Before we join Saturday's action, let's look back
:00:59. > :01:08.at what happened over the first two days of competition.
:01:09. > :01:13.Rory McIlroy, it seems, is always the story. He searched for solace in
:01:14. > :01:18.a season of struggles here, but form and fairways proved hard to find in
:01:19. > :01:22.a two over par grind. Californian Rickie?Fowler looked
:01:23. > :01:29.more at home on the links, 67 setting the pace. The same score too
:01:30. > :01:33.for Ian Poulter, still riding the breeze of a recent revival and
:01:34. > :01:39.Padraig Harrington teamed the afternoon winds. But a Finn was
:01:40. > :01:46.visible above all the rest, Mikko Ilonen above at the end of Day one.
:01:47. > :01:50.The next day, Saint Patrick Harrington was leading after Mikko
:01:51. > :01:57.Ilonen slept. Thoughts of Birkdale perhaps inspiring the Irishman. If I
:01:58. > :02:01.think good and my mind is on the right place, you know, it is a
:02:02. > :02:06.mental battle now at this stage, but my head is in the right place, and I
:02:07. > :02:10.will be there, or thereabouts, at the end of the stretch and who knows
:02:11. > :02:17.what can happen? By the end of the day he would be joined by surprise
:02:18. > :02:20.contenders in the form of Germany's Alexander Knappe and Callum Shinkwin
:02:21. > :02:26.of England. Golf is never dull when it is played by Ian Poulter. Shots
:02:27. > :02:31.like this left him only one back. It is nice playing on links golf, we
:02:32. > :02:35.don't get a lot of opportunities to play it and especially with the Open
:02:36. > :02:40.Championship next week, we will get used to tough conditions. Tricky
:02:41. > :02:46.chip shots and a bit of imagination. That's exactly what you want. Former
:02:47. > :02:53.winner Fowler lurks close behind. There was a Rory revival but back
:02:54. > :02:59.nine struggles left him needing this putt to make the cut. He moves on to
:03:00. > :03:04.Birkdale earlier than expected. On not getting to play the weekend but
:03:05. > :03:09.again, it is not like I could be much more worried if I went out and
:03:10. > :03:13.shot a couple of 76s, nowhere near. The difference between shooting
:03:14. > :03:18.1-under par and four or five is not that much of a difference. I got
:03:19. > :03:24.3-under par today and felt pretty good but yeah, it is what it is.
:03:25. > :03:31.I've got to get ready for next week. So, with 36 holes to play, this is
:03:32. > :03:36.the top of the leaderboard. Callum Shinkwin, Padraig Harrington and
:03:37. > :03:43.Alexander Knappe at the top, with Fowler, Nicolas Colsaerts and Kuchar
:03:44. > :03:47.fancy their chances of a move. Adam Scott, the open champion Henrik
:03:48. > :03:51.Stenson, they will both need to make a big move in tricky conditions to
:03:52. > :03:54.be in with the chance of silverware this weekend. The Claret Jug is
:03:55. > :04:03.indicate those players who have already qualified for next week's
:04:04. > :04:07.open, it is a last cost situation for some players who aren't already
:04:08. > :04:11.at Royal Birkdale. Rory McIlroy heads the list of big names who did
:04:12. > :04:16.not make it to the weekend but he has notable company in the form of
:04:17. > :04:20.champions Martin Kaymer and Jason Dufner, as well as Matthew
:04:21. > :04:24.Fitzpatrick of England. As they head off for early Open practice, for the
:04:25. > :04:29.remaining 65 it is all about the fourth event in the Rolex series.
:04:30. > :04:33.Testing conditions at the moment but the forecast is for it to get worse
:04:34. > :04:37.as the day goes on. Strong winds and rain expected this afternoon. As a
:04:38. > :04:41.result, the tee times are moved forward too early in the day so
:04:42. > :04:49.let's have a look at some of the pairings today. Frenchman Alexander
:04:50. > :04:51.Levy alongside 2015 runner-up Matt Kuchar, followed by another
:04:52. > :04:56.Frenchman, Gregory Havret alongside the man who edged out Martin Kuchar,
:04:57. > :05:00.Rickie?Fowler. Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts alongside Australian
:05:01. > :05:05.Andrew Dodt. A pair of Englishmen in the poll ultimate group, Ian Poulter
:05:06. > :05:10.and Callum Shinkwin. The final pairing is six German Alexander
:05:11. > :05:15.Knappe and the two time Open champion Padraig Harrington. Despite
:05:16. > :05:19.the conditions, some managed to make an early move, Andrew 'Beef'
:05:20. > :05:25.Johnston always enjoys a battle, his birdie at five moved him to 6-under
:05:26. > :05:29.par. England's Andy Sullivan is putting together a somewhat
:05:30. > :05:36.miraculous round so far, 6-under for the day after this eagle putt at 14
:05:37. > :05:40.set up another birdie. The weather is following forecaster's
:05:41. > :05:44.predictions. It is getting worse out here, the final pairing are just
:05:45. > :05:49.about to head to the first tee, one of them is a multiple major champion
:05:50. > :05:53.with bags of experience and the other is looking for his maiden
:05:54. > :05:57.European Tour win. On a day like this, anything can happen. So, as
:05:58. > :06:02.they make last-minute adjustments, let's look at the leaderboard as it
:06:03. > :06:05.stands... Alexander Knappe, Padraig Harrington and Callum Shinkwin
:06:06. > :06:10.sharing the lead, Sullivan and Johnston the best of the early
:06:11. > :06:14.starters alongside Carlsson of Sweden, three back and 3-under for
:06:15. > :06:20.the day. Let's go over to our commentary team starting with Dennis
:06:21. > :06:26.Hutchinson and Mark James. COMMENTATOR: On the tee, from
:06:27. > :06:30.Germany, Alexander Knappe. The last few holes yesterday when he appeared
:06:31. > :06:38.on the board, he started spraying it around a bit. Let's hope he has
:06:39. > :06:42.refocused this morning. He did a fair job hitting it up and down most
:06:43. > :06:44.of the time, but you cannot keep playing like that. A nice job down
:06:45. > :07:03.the breeze. Nothing wrong with that one! An
:07:04. > :07:10.encouraging start for Alexander Knappe. On the tee from Ireland,
:07:11. > :07:14.Padraig Harrington! CLAPPING I wonder if he will start with the
:07:15. > :07:21.foot in the air, stepping through, that stroll. It's amazing watching
:07:22. > :07:34.him practice. Right, here we go. Watch his left foot... Only a tiny
:07:35. > :07:38.step. A small rise, that is all! A pretty good opening tee shot for
:07:39. > :07:42.Padraig Harrington, just in the right, no bother at all for him. He
:07:43. > :07:51.is a master tactician and a brilliant links player. A real
:07:52. > :08:01.chance he for Martin Levy to find a birdie at the 2nd hole. Come on...
:08:02. > :08:11.Nicely done. A birdie to start with, you could not ask for more than that
:08:12. > :08:16.-- Alexander Levy. In Poulter, this is for a birdie. It would have been
:08:17. > :08:22.the perfect start... Right in the middle. He pours it in. He looked
:08:23. > :08:33.good on the greens yesterday, didn't he? He certainly did. Alexander Levy
:08:34. > :08:39.on the 30, a par-5. Back into the wind. The bunker left at 270 odd,
:08:40. > :08:50.left of those, somewhere near the bushes... Oh dear oh dear... That is
:08:51. > :09:01.not good. Sullivan... How did that get itself out? Unfortunate. Yeah,
:09:02. > :09:13.what a great try. Tear up today on 16, still a massive hole. You are
:09:14. > :09:18.going to have to choose your picture points and club carefully with a lot
:09:19. > :09:27.of thought, he will want to land this 20 yards short of the flag.
:09:28. > :09:31.Expect a big bounce... That is a wonderful shot. Not quite getting
:09:32. > :09:46.over, I've never seen such an intense game. In his eyes...
:09:47. > :09:59.I thought it was a rather nice looking swing, when he comes to it,
:10:00. > :10:12.two good shots. A decent strike. Beefy, for a birdie at the 9th. Now
:10:13. > :10:16.within two of the lead. CHUCKLES With a 32 today.
:10:17. > :10:21.Some golf. Padraig Harrington's ball came back down the slope. He is to
:10:22. > :10:25.climb the step, going right to left and once it reaches the top level,
:10:26. > :10:39.you want to go right to left, the wind is behind him... Good from
:10:40. > :10:44.where he was, a huge swing. At 17, he has just bogeyed 16, he wants to
:10:45. > :10:50.get this up and down... A bit obvious, I suppose. Sickening, when
:10:51. > :10:59.you make such a move and begin to let it drift away.
:11:00. > :11:11.Downhill left to right, and into the winter... But have played this hole
:11:12. > :11:16.very well, they could have easily started with birdies. That biggest
:11:17. > :11:26.putt was fractionally short but a good four. That's for Alexander
:11:27. > :11:39.Knappe. This is for his... Ooh, a double at 17. He slips back to five.
:11:40. > :11:52.Hard, three shots going in a flash. 6-under par. Par-5 3rd, which has
:11:53. > :12:07.caused all sorts of problems today. This is Rickie?Fowler. I should say
:12:08. > :12:08.all sorts of problems for some... The leaders for par, Padraig
:12:09. > :12:26.Harrington... That is not like him at all... He
:12:27. > :12:43.has parted really well for a couple of days, going brilliantly. --
:12:44. > :12:48.putted. For a birdie at 17, it's Carlsson. Five or 6-under par, it
:12:49. > :12:52.won't be far away at the end of the day. On the third green,
:12:53. > :13:11.Rickie?Fowler... That is remarkably accurate.
:13:12. > :13:26.Nico, playing a lot of good golf so far this year. Third in the PGA
:13:27. > :13:35.earlier in the season. That was his big finish this year... Ooh, that
:13:36. > :13:49.was beautifully done! Rickie Fowler with a birdie at the 3rd combat a
:13:50. > :13:58.tee shot at the par-3, 199 today. Fore! I think it hit the youngster
:13:59. > :14:07.there... He is grimacing, and holding his leg. Hopefully not too
:14:08. > :14:16.serious... A lovely birdie from Nicolas Colsaerts. Rickie Fowler is
:14:17. > :14:24.doing the right thing... There is the youngster. Well done, Rickie
:14:25. > :14:33.that's all very well, but it still hurts! What a way to finish, after
:14:34. > :14:39.the previous two holes. From around the bunker, I assume that is for a
:14:40. > :14:43.birdie four. An eagle? What a way to finish! That is a round of 67.
:14:44. > :14:52.Absolutely brilliant from Andy Sullivan. This is improving
:14:53. > :15:01.steadily, as we watch Rickie Fowler, it would be a heck of a save after a
:15:02. > :15:05.hideous tee shot. Well done. He is putting the ball in his pocket, I
:15:06. > :15:06.suppose it is a pretty windy day. You never know when you may not have
:15:07. > :15:35.enough ammunition. Hanging on by the fingernails to the
:15:36. > :15:47.top tier... Callum Shinkwin... Ooh... That is a cracking shot from
:15:48. > :15:56.Callum Shinkwin. Andrew Dodt has this for a par... Struck firmly and
:15:57. > :16:16.confidently to the back of the cup. The great thing about Hawk-Eye is
:16:17. > :16:18.that that was a good putt, it wasn't bad, but you could tell early on it
:16:19. > :16:36.was never quite on the right path. Might be wondering why we are not
:16:37. > :16:39.seeing an awful lot of the likes of Adam Scott or Stephen Gallacher,
:16:40. > :16:48.they are both having a pretty torrid time. Scott is four over, Stephen
:16:49. > :16:55.Gallacher is 5-over. The wind is straight in the player's face here.
:16:56. > :16:58.A really strong wind. Just want to drive this one though, don't get it
:16:59. > :17:10.to balloon, you don't want to spin it. The quickest thing there, did
:17:11. > :17:15.not really complete the backswing. Is it out of bounds? I suspect it
:17:16. > :17:24.might be, I did not see any white stakes but it looks like it is over
:17:25. > :17:39.a fence. A little bit of right-to-left... A triple break. It
:17:40. > :17:43.was indeed! Definitely a boundary fence, isn't it? It will be out of
:17:44. > :17:47.bounds. There is no ruling required or anything for that. It is straight
:17:48. > :18:00.back to the tee, and play another. Back at 14, Andrew Johnston making
:18:01. > :18:08.his birdie... So it is a good day so far for B. Only four to go, a tough
:18:09. > :18:16.stretch of closing holes -- it is a tough day for Beef. That one started
:18:17. > :18:21.high and left... This could really be a bad one. And surprising, he
:18:22. > :18:28.played the first three holes extremely well. And all of a sudden,
:18:29. > :18:35.going sideways. Callum Shinkwin on the fifth, this is for a par. Both
:18:36. > :18:47.of these players in danger of making a bogey here. Well, we found Alex's
:18:48. > :18:55.birdshot, it is left of left, so to speak! -- third shot. Ian Gould's
:18:56. > :19:10.birdshot at the 5th, the best putt of 40 yards away. He has done pretty
:19:11. > :19:15.well to stay there. This lie is not great, the ball is sat way off the
:19:16. > :19:18.ground in some very long grass. You have two really launch it high right
:19:19. > :19:31.away, to get it over the top of the course, he's about 50 yards from the
:19:32. > :19:40.hole. Gripping well down on it. That's a great result. Looking like
:19:41. > :19:49.he was going to be there all day! Make a par here at five... ?
:19:50. > :20:00.Hawk-Eye, on the green... No, robbery!
:20:01. > :20:34.This is for five... Hold hold-up! Well, a double three. Beef... Hmm...
:20:35. > :20:40.Boy, what a fan club! CHUCKLES No, that is the second time Padraig
:20:41. > :20:44.Harrington has missed a putt this afternoon, after one at the 1st.
:20:45. > :20:53.He knew it straightaway, a little bit of a flinch. A bit of a change
:20:54. > :20:56.at the top there, Rickie Fowler, Callum Shinkwin and Ian Poulter, all
:20:57. > :21:04.three leaders have dropped out the top spot overnight. How is he
:21:05. > :21:08.looking there? Very good. He's played extremely well, those boys
:21:09. > :21:15.out in wicked weather today. Those boys doing extremely well. A
:21:16. > :21:33.pitching wedge, 179 yards from Callum Shinkwin. CHUCKLES
:21:34. > :21:38.A great shot! Now, Rickie Fowler. That isn't like him, he has been
:21:39. > :21:45.putting quite beautifully. But when the wind is blowing this hard, it
:21:46. > :21:59.isn't easy, it is easy to get buffered. He cannot believe it. That
:22:00. > :22:06.one is blowing very firmly. And he deserved it, he had a copy of -- a
:22:07. > :22:12.couple of putt Boyle that could have done well earlier. Now he is leading
:22:13. > :22:20.at 9-under. Taking the putter from a long way off the green. Would have
:22:21. > :22:24.thought that a nice little pitch would not be difficult but he has
:22:25. > :22:29.handled it well, he made the right decision. He certainly did, he
:22:30. > :22:44.surely could have got a pitch that close... A beautiful judgment.
:22:45. > :22:56.Gregory Havret with a chance. Left-handed putting style. Nicely
:22:57. > :23:10.done. Andrew Dodt for his par, a lovely approach putt, a couple of
:23:11. > :23:15.paces short of the green. No! No! A perfect little shot here for Ian
:23:16. > :23:27.Poulter, able to hold it up, the breeze is quite strong. Ware the
:23:28. > :23:34.hole cut towards the end of the green, if you paces there. A really
:23:35. > :23:40.good shot. Andrew Dodt took a putter from a if you paces inside of this.
:23:41. > :23:49.Callum Shinkwin, playing a pitch and run -- took a part from a few paces.
:23:50. > :23:58.He found a poor lie. Perfect tee shot, Andrew Dodt.
:23:59. > :24:04.Taking a bit of spin, the perfect second shot. A great opportunity to
:24:05. > :24:18.get that shot back that he dropped at the last. Ian Poulter, for a
:24:19. > :24:24.birdie here at seven. Get there... Yes! 9-under par for
:24:25. > :24:30.Ian Poulter. The Championship leader. Taking a lot of time here,
:24:31. > :24:35.Andrew Dodt, after seeing that short one back at seven... The first bogey
:24:36. > :24:50.of the day. It would be great to get it straight back.
:24:51. > :24:57.Well done, back to 8-under par. Callum Shinkwin for par, this is to
:24:58. > :25:04.stay in the lead with Ian Poulter. So, we've had a swap at the top. Ian
:25:05. > :25:16.Poulter now leads on his own. Note... Yes, that is right, sorry,
:25:17. > :25:23.Callum Shinkwin is back to 8-under, Poulter nine.
:25:24. > :25:30.Andrew Dodt took a horrible triple at the previous par-3, of course.
:25:31. > :25:35.Come on, look for the hole. Yes! Well done. Well, I suppose in these
:25:36. > :25:46.conditions, that is not all that bad...
:25:47. > :26:02.Leads to go three yards left of the tee. And slide back into the pin...
:26:03. > :26:06.You would expect a bit of release... Nice rhythm in that swing, a
:26:07. > :26:09.beautiful shot, pitching three yards left. Every chance of another birdie
:26:10. > :26:23.for Ian Poulter, well done! He's done pretty well too.
:26:24. > :26:40.Brilliant, actually. Henrik Stenson for a birdie here.
:26:41. > :26:45.Thank you. Back to even par for the big Swede. And a par, down the
:26:46. > :26:50.breeze, to come. Ian Poulter leading the way at
:26:51. > :27:01.9-under, Callum Shinkwin and Andrew Dodt one shot back, Padraig
:27:02. > :27:07.Harrington, Alexander Knappe and others just behind. Thank you.
:27:08. > :27:17.Straight back to 9-under par. Momentarily tied again with Ian
:27:18. > :27:21.Poulter. The trouble is, if you try and hit
:27:22. > :27:32.it too firmly, it's easy to get a par lip out. The only player in the
:27:33. > :27:44.last 14 groups and a par. Back at 14. A second shot at 94 Andrew Dodt.
:27:45. > :27:50.The difficulty here is that the pin is ten on -- a second shot at nine,
:27:51. > :27:58.for Andrew Dodt. On the fairway, left of the mound that guards the
:27:59. > :28:02.pin position. Not a bad result. Padraig Harrington on an upset here,
:28:03. > :28:05.he has no choice but to fly it up the green, with the wind in his
:28:06. > :28:14.face, he should be able to lofty top there. -- loft it up there. That was
:28:15. > :28:19.weird... An odd shot he played, you would have thought he would throw it
:28:20. > :28:24.into the air more, Mark. It looked like he slipped the club into the
:28:25. > :28:35.ball there. Andrew Dodt for a birdie, an outside chance to get
:28:36. > :28:47.within one. A good effort, that will be par, remaining 8-under, half of
:28:48. > :29:06.36. Callum Shinkwin hits the ball so hard, he will get plenty of spin
:29:07. > :29:09.here. That time, he didn't. A birdie putt for Ian Poulter, should move
:29:10. > :29:16.right-to-left... Yes, we have seen some beauties from Ian Poulter over
:29:17. > :29:21.the last 2.5 days. It was close. Patrick
:29:22. > :29:31.-- Kuchar for a birdie. That is the way, fill it up! I wonder if he is
:29:32. > :29:36.tired of that, yet... Callum Shinkwin with a good birdie chance
:29:37. > :29:39.after his nice preparation to the ninth, gently downhill all the way.
:29:40. > :29:47.I could not have a good look at it but I did not see much break there.
:29:48. > :29:56.A little right-to-left, but lacking in pace. It has been five years
:29:57. > :30:00.since Ian Poulter was last in the winner 's circle but it has been
:30:01. > :30:03.somewhat of a revival of late from the Englishman already, notching up
:30:04. > :30:07.a second-place finish at the Players Championship this season. He's
:30:08. > :30:11.already got his place at the Open next week secured and isn't it
:30:12. > :30:15.something to build up to that with more silverware here this week? He
:30:16. > :30:19.is being chased all the way by his playing partner, Callum Shinkwin,
:30:20. > :30:20.one shot back at 9-under par as the players make their way to the
:30:21. > :30:42.tenth... Has only missed two fairways. I
:30:43. > :30:50.think I have seen him swinging better. Always a brisk swinger. Good
:30:51. > :31:04.release, freewheeling through the ball. Really, really good. Fowler
:31:05. > :31:13.but the next hole. 120 yards. Into the wind. Anywhere within 25 feet is
:31:14. > :31:20.not too bad. Those front bunkers are evil little things. Pretty
:31:21. > :31:39.straightforward putt downhill, right to left.
:31:40. > :31:51.What a great putt. Can probably try and keep this one reasonably low,
:31:52. > :32:03.just cut it into the flag. Wind against him on the right.
:32:04. > :32:13.Pretty good shot from Ian Poulter. Playing very steadily.
:32:14. > :32:24.Great shot. Very good shot, the quickest way to catch the group of
:32:25. > :32:39.front, hit them close and start tapping them in. Worst of the
:32:40. > :32:47.downslope. What a lovely shot. Great shot from a less than satisfactory
:32:48. > :32:53.lie. Well done, Harrington. Finally. First thing of any length that's
:32:54. > :33:02.gone into Padraig today. Looks vaguely surprised. Doesn't look as
:33:03. > :33:14.if he's aiming for very much. Depends on the pace.
:33:15. > :33:19.Just hit it right through any break. Third shot, Rickie Fowler. Here at
:33:20. > :34:00.12. Good putt. Just to keep the momentum
:34:01. > :34:08.going. Alexander Knappe's attempt for birdie. After the triple on the
:34:09. > :34:17.fourth, it is a sterling effort. Well done. Showing a bit of
:34:18. > :34:30.resilience. Fowler for his par. Just on the left edge. Bogey, that will
:34:31. > :34:35.drop him back to 6-under par. Andrew Dodt at 11 across this wide but
:34:36. > :34:43.short green. Bit of right to left on it. Not far off is it? Right in the
:34:44. > :34:51.middle, Andrew Dodt. Absolute corker, he moves to minus nine. This
:34:52. > :35:02.difficult tenth, second toughest hole. Alexander Knappe.
:35:03. > :35:14.Who knows? No 1-over there because there's no crowd.
:35:15. > :35:24.Challenging putt for Ian Poulter. Right-to-left at the end. Did we
:35:25. > :35:37.stop early to avoid the weather? That was the theory. Alex Levy putts
:35:38. > :35:40.the birdie. That gets him back to level for the round. Currently -6,
:35:41. > :36:02.tied seventh. Pulled up very quickly. Certainly
:36:03. > :36:07.did. This would be a top, top, top par the Padraig, if he can make this
:36:08. > :36:19.one. He knows it goes left to right. The wins will have an impact as
:36:20. > :36:28.well. -- window. That was a wonderful putt for Ian Poulter. It
:36:29. > :36:40.is raining pretty hard as well as the wind. This'll be a good par for
:36:41. > :36:53.the Aussie. Past. This is his fourth at the 10th.
:36:54. > :37:06.Could drop just the single shot. Just needed to be a little more bold
:37:07. > :37:16.and he would have made it. This is Mat Kuchar of a birdie. At the
:37:17. > :37:21.par-5/14. Several chances, just can't quite make a putt today. This
:37:22. > :37:27.one might be a little bit right to left. He knows it is going to slow
:37:28. > :37:35.down. He will do well to get it there.
:37:36. > :37:59.Hundred and 20 into a stiff breeze. He knows those evil bunkers are
:38:00. > :38:14.guarding the front. Brilliant absolutely brilliant. Now, Fowler.
:38:15. > :38:19.Long iron, down the breeze. 546 yards to go on this par-5. He has
:38:20. > :38:37.done well to find the green. Stay there. After that superb tee shots,
:38:38. > :38:42.Padraig Harrington, birdie. Oh! The putter certainly has misbehaved.
:38:43. > :38:50.Back to the 13th, long birdie chance for Andrew Dodt, the Australian.
:38:51. > :38:57.Go on... It is the hole that has caused havoc all week. Mat Kuchar at
:38:58. > :39:05.the par-3 15th. Ian Poulter, just 12 paces into this
:39:06. > :39:51.13th green. Grand. Padraig Harrington, second
:39:52. > :39:56.shot. Good shot. Still seeing some very good golf and some very good
:39:57. > :40:01.scoring. Ian Poulter is a couple under for the round and Andy
:40:02. > :40:24.Sullivan in with a splendid 67. His normal sweet stroke. Fowler,
:40:25. > :40:27.from up on the slope at 15. Little downhill lie, the ball is sitting
:40:28. > :40:41.nicely but everything will kick in from the right. Too much. It is a
:40:42. > :40:49.nasty one for his par. Wouldn't like to go any further back. Probably
:40:50. > :40:57.because of Ian Poulter, just borrowed a little bit too much. He
:40:58. > :41:01.has been a little stiff with the putter today, Shinkwin. Played some
:41:02. > :41:23.splendid stuff. Comes from Hertfordshire, just north
:41:24. > :41:27.of London, from a boxing family. Tried a bit himself but then he
:41:28. > :41:42.discovered the golf ball doesn't hit back. It has a bit today though.
:41:43. > :41:49.Fowler, for his par at 15. That was a beautiful stroke. Couple of putts
:41:50. > :41:51.haven't been as fluent as that and he has missed a couple, but that was
:41:52. > :42:11.more like him. Fine and dandy. The view from above.
:42:12. > :42:23.Not quite as many spectators as you would expect at Dundonald.
:42:24. > :42:38.Well done. There are no easy putts on a day like today.
:42:39. > :42:55.Good lie here, bit of a downslope, ball below his feet. Straight into
:42:56. > :43:06.the wind. You need to drive it low into the wind and rain. Moving it
:43:07. > :43:18.from right to left with a real solid strike. Good shot. Massive drive
:43:19. > :43:28.from Shinkwin. Looked like one of his wages. Probably is. That is
:43:29. > :43:34.something. Easy P easy. Eagle three coming up.
:43:35. > :43:52.Looking good. Pretty good shot from there. Could still make a birdie.
:43:53. > :43:57.He's going to loft this up with a low trajectory and get it to run up
:43:58. > :44:03.to the hole. Not much break. Cupped his left hand to the hitting area
:44:04. > :44:19.and added loft. That was a terrible effort. Very tough putt to make.
:44:20. > :44:29.Obviously, very difficult to read these greens. Hawk-Eye is having
:44:30. > :44:38.problems. Fowler for par at 16. Shot from just off the front. That is a
:44:39. > :44:45.waste of a shot. Where you any good at these? One of the secrets to that
:44:46. > :44:50.is get your hands up higher because your tendency is let your hands drop
:44:51. > :45:02.and then catch the ground, just like he did there.
:45:03. > :45:19.Par for Ian Poulter. Tied at the top. Matt Kuchar on 17.
:45:20. > :45:34.Holy cow. Oh my god. I have an hit one of those whatever. You won't be
:45:35. > :45:42.able to say that next week. Probably try and play this with left to right
:45:43. > :45:53.spin. It is going big time left to right. Pretty good shot. Anywhere
:45:54. > :45:58.around the green is not bad. Shinkwin and Ian Poulter minus ten.
:45:59. > :46:09.Dodt, hanging in there. Sullivan, tucked up in his hotel room drinking
:46:10. > :46:16.a cup of tea. Some trouble here for Shinkwin. Don't get ambitious, don't
:46:17. > :46:30.try and shove it right, just get it out. He that gives, take us away.
:46:31. > :46:50.Back to 5-under. He has got to hit it hard and get it straight up in
:46:51. > :46:57.the air. Taking the putter, we saw him do this back at seven, 20 yards
:46:58. > :47:03.off the green. He made a good effort, but that not so good. Must
:47:04. > :47:10.be slow from there because Fowler left it short as well. Look at that,
:47:11. > :47:22.I cannot believe they built that railway line right to the middle of
:47:23. > :47:31.the golf courses. Dodt, currently third on his own. Good putt, good
:47:32. > :47:38.save. Reasonably daunting birdie putt on the 15th. Got to run it
:47:39. > :47:47.along the edge of the ridge and across the green.
:47:48. > :48:06.He's not bad, is he? His stroke looks good, reminiscent of Fowler's.
:48:07. > :48:18.Shinkwin makes a great shot, only dropped one. Stretched out a little
:48:19. > :48:29.at the top. Ian Poulter's short game has been in
:48:30. > :48:36.great shape. This will test and because it is settled into a
:48:37. > :48:49.difficult lie on the upslope. Genius. It is amazing to get that
:48:50. > :49:04.much spin on it out that lie. He has groups than me. -- sharper groups.
:49:05. > :49:10.Anja Knapp, birdie putt at 14. Yes. Good work.
:49:11. > :49:18.-- Alexander Knappe. Shinkwin playing some real links golf here
:49:19. > :49:35.with the putter from way. They will be pairing in the
:49:36. > :49:51.clubhouse. Andrew Dodt, shouldn't be too difficult, plenty of grass under
:49:52. > :49:57.the ball. Come on, turn. Great shot. Shinkwin has been consulting the
:49:58. > :50:03.Green book and then doing what Ian Poulter does, walking all around it.
:50:04. > :50:06.We have seen a double break around Hawk-Eye. Just about right. What a
:50:07. > :50:25.great save. Good up and down there from Matt
:50:26. > :50:29.Kuchar. A round of 73. Played quite consistently most of the day. Just
:50:30. > :50:34.didn't get anything going on the greens. Can't believe Ian Poulter
:50:35. > :50:42.has left it this far short of the hole. This is a tricky one. Is there
:50:43. > :50:53.a hint of left or right? I am not sure. Yes, and he didn't see it. We
:50:54. > :51:11.are tied at the top, Ian Poulter and Shinkwin. Now at 9-under par. It is
:51:12. > :51:14.a bogey putt the Padraig. So his poor day is getting worse for one of
:51:15. > :51:39.our overnight leaders. Rickie Fowler continues to struggle.
:51:40. > :51:43.Rickie Fowler round in 74, at 5-under and he's going to be four
:51:44. > :51:49.behind, at least, you would think. Look at Graeme McDowell and Richard
:51:50. > :52:00.Bland. They are both in the picture now.
:52:01. > :52:07.Gorgeous. Great play from Ian Poulter what a good break and he's
:52:08. > :52:30.made the most of it. Couple of times this week, credit to
:52:31. > :52:33.those Scottish golf fans, not been a pleasant day for watching or playing
:52:34. > :52:47.golf, but they have stuck it out to the end. Rock-solid.
:52:48. > :52:54.His short game has looked good, he's rolled the ball well. One more in
:52:55. > :53:06.him. What a good performance by Andrew Dodt.
:53:07. > :53:25.Lovely flight. Just no way it can... Fine. Ian Poulter had abuse of the
:53:26. > :53:30.lie, the grass was lying in the right direction. Much better than
:53:31. > :53:42.the one Shinkwin has got. It is OK, but it is much more podgy grass
:53:43. > :53:49.here. That was a wonderful shot. Absolutely wonderful shot. Final
:53:50. > :54:26.pair on the 17th. Alexander Knappe. That came out soft. Almost went
:54:27. > :54:29.underneath it. Is this going to do much? I don't think so, it is uphill
:54:30. > :54:53.and then over the ridge. Slightly disappointing five at the
:54:54. > :54:58.last but overall, good from Ian Poulter. Total of -9, tied for the
:54:59. > :55:24.lead right now with Andrew Dodt. This for the lead. He pushed it
:55:25. > :55:28.right, didn't he? I don't know. He didn't seem to stand up knowing he
:55:29. > :55:36.pushed it. He kept his position. I get the feeling he missed Reddit
:55:37. > :55:40.completely. Difficult to know, but at the performance. Disappointing he
:55:41. > :55:49.didn't make the birdie to lead on his own. We will have three players
:55:50. > :55:58.on 9-under par. Two fine rounds of golf from Shinkwin and Ian Poulter.
:55:59. > :56:03.But there were problems behind. Struggles of the tee for Alexander
:56:04. > :56:10.Knappe. Of the German battled to stay in touch. Heading into Sunday's
:56:11. > :56:14.final round, here is how things stand. The three tied up the top
:56:15. > :56:19.surviving brutal conditions to stay ahead of the field. But how good did
:56:20. > :56:26.the rounds of Andy Sullivan, eight and Johan Carlsson Lucknow? Andy
:56:27. > :56:30.Sullivan, the lowest of the day. Ryan Fox and Paul Dunne are three
:56:31. > :56:35.back and there are 13 plays within four shots of the lead including
:56:36. > :56:41.major champion, Graeme McDowell. Brutal conditions, it must feel like
:56:42. > :56:45.a good score today? Yes, I am glad to be finished, it was brutal. Windy
:56:46. > :56:50.early arm with a bit of rain, but as he made the turn on the tenth, 11th,
:56:51. > :56:55.the rain came back and it blew a gale and it was hold onto your hats
:56:56. > :56:59.weather. I think I did a pretty good job. Tight leaderboard and the
:57:00. > :57:04.weather is supposed to ease tomorrow, how aggressive do you have
:57:05. > :57:08.to be in the final day? I need to finish one in front of everyone
:57:09. > :57:13.else. I will watch the leaderboard and go out there and do the best I
:57:14. > :57:18.can. I will be aggressive to the pin locations I feel are accessible and
:57:19. > :57:23.go and have some fun. I am in a good mental state, a few months back,
:57:24. > :57:26.things were pretty difficult, but obviously life is a little bit
:57:27. > :57:31.easier right now and I am enjoying my goal. I feel good, feel great and
:57:32. > :57:34.feel excited to be in this position and I relish the opportunity
:57:35. > :57:38.tomorrow to try and put my hands on that trophy. I am going to have to
:57:39. > :57:45.play well, there are great plays behind me, a lot at stake tomorrow.
:57:46. > :57:51.I will do my best. Great prize fund on offer, will be your first if you
:57:52. > :57:56.it tomorrow, the Open Championship qualification at stake. Is this week
:57:57. > :58:02.like changing in a way? It can be, but I am focusing on one shot at the
:58:03. > :58:06.time. I am focusing on getting in, getting dry, keeping warm and
:58:07. > :58:13.getting some food. Tomorrow it kicks off again. Do you think you will
:58:14. > :58:19.sleep come to be tonight? I hope so. You don't get nervous? Normally, but
:58:20. > :58:24.there was a lot of noise from the hotel last night. It is all set up
:58:25. > :58:30.from an exciting final day and you can see how it all unfolds on BBC
:58:31. > :58:34.Two tomorrow. It is all part of a huge sporting Sunday with the
:58:35. > :58:41.British Grand Prix on radio five Live and of course the Wimbledon
:58:42. > :58:53.men's final from the All-England Club.
:58:54. > :59:05.The main event starts at Royal but they'll on Thursday. Plenty to look
:59:06. > :59:09.forward to, particularly here at Dundonald where despite the best
:59:10. > :59:13.weather airship could throw at us, we still saw some impressive golf
:59:14. > :59:17.out on the course. Thankfully this wind and rain is due to ease
:59:18. > :59:21.tomorrow so we are in for a tasty shoot out to seek you can count the
:59:22. > :59:27.silverware the week before the Open Championship. But for me, it is time
:59:28. > :59:44.for dry clothes and a cup of tea. I will see tomorrow. Goodbye for now.
:59:45. > :59:46.When I think of the world we inhabit, everyone will think,
:59:47. > :59:50.Yeah. And it wasn't, it was done by hand
:59:51. > :59:54.over days and weeks and months and years.