Day 3, Part 4 Golf: The Open

On the tee for Northern Ireland, It couldn't, could it? Last man in,

That's a nailed on birdie for Clarke. Good afternoon. Darren

Clarke is the only UK eagle on the third page of the leaderboard on

the study of the Open Championship. It has been an idea of brittle

weather, driving rain and wind and it only abated in the last hour or

so. Those with later tee times have profited from the camera conditions.

But there seems to be a transatlantic move, there is a real

challenge from American players, beginning to build. A little while

ago, this was Dustin Johnson at the 12th goal stop for a share of the

outright lead. In the last few minutes he has made bogey at the

13th. And he is back to 3-under. Anthony Kim, who has had so many

injury problems in the last year, here the is at the 15th, and that

was a beauty, for a birdie, putting him level par for the championships.

Right now, there are 11 men under- par. We started at 18 when play

began at five to nine this morning. And they're really is a move from

some of the American players. After all they are the men who have

failed to win a Major in the last 5p. Dustin Johnson, I said that he

had failed to slot at this one in, so that is a bogey. There is

confirmation - Darren Clarke still on his own after the last few

eventful moments as we changed Channel from BBC One, Darren

Rickie Fowler came in with a quite brilliant round of 68, which was

manufactured mostly in the teeth of the storm. He has weather of it

beautifully. And he played the last six holes in 3-under par, to get in

with the best score of the day. And he will certainly be in the shake

down tomorrow. Anders Hansen has an eagle at the ninth and that is why

he is at 2-under. Davis Love is big -- bidding to become the oldest

player to win the Open at 47. Last time the were you, Davis Love had a

tie for fourth, so he remembers well how to play this course. Back

out on to the course with Mrs James, Brady and Alice. -- James, Brady

Medwell. -- Miguel. He has had several of those today but he is

those that you start questioning yourself. He putted very well in

the first two rounds, Jiminez. Then he died up a little, but he is only

2-over. This is Campbell at a pen, for par. -- at ten. If he has a

of the best players in the world, only five of them equalled the par

of 35 on the outward nine - and that is in some of the kindest

weather. It is not easy. It is easier than it was, but it is still

mighty difficult. Good shot from Trying to take those bunkers have

to play. -- out of play. That is fine. Just on the very left of your

picture now. You can see the holes and the bombs on the fairway, that

long walk back on the middle of the fairway. -- long hog's back. This

is one of the most exposed greens on the course. It is quite so --

quite tricky standing on this, air where in the day. -- earlier.

will be nice for him to take the again? It was about half an hour

ago, but I think it has dropped considerably. We are out at the far

end of the course and that is what I would call a good links day,

nothing to write home about, it is what the club members experience

every week. They and a hardy lot, the members here. -- they are. I

swear that his beard is getting longer and longer! It was absorbing

a lot of water in there, he was stepping a bit! -- stooping. This

is the tenth green. Still, the crowds are with us. They and a

remarkable crowd, golfing spectators. They, in all weathers.

All gazing down, wishing this fellow, Darren Clarke, well. Darren

Clarke did well to get here because he was out opposition, off the tee.

This, now, for a two-shot lead. Bjorn's birdie attempt on the same

today. It is not easy. Started off was over on the left-hand side were

Hansen was yesterday, we were sitting on the right hand side,

were the wall is today. It is quite incredible. That is a par five. --

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tee shot a long way right. -- Thomas Kaymer. He was many people's

fancy. He's certainly not out of it coming into today, coming into the

weekend, Kaymer. Phil Parkin, it looks a lot better out there. You

have already been out for one round - you have got some stamina. I am

glad it is not the same conditions as it was. It is still quite a

difficult golf course. Jiminez has to take advantage of these easier

holes. There are plenty of difficult ones and this 12, from a

perfect position, and wedge play is his 40. -- forte. He is usually

very good from this range. Firm clip into the grass. Too bad.

Thought that was going to spin away more than that. That is not

wonderful by his high standards. feet, for birdie, for Campbell.

That really lost pace at the end. The greens must have slowed down a

little bit. They are slower today. It is nine it-a, instead of nine-

pen. Thank you very much. You will them down today. Davies, playing

alongside Tom Lehman. He's 1-under. These two old fellows are handling

themselves very well. Tom Watson's game this morning was a delight to

watch, and parole conditions. Martin Kaymer for par at the 11th.

-- in foul conditions. What I like about Tom Watson was that he used

the ground conditions are so well. He hits it, still, a good distance,

he holed some nice putts, missed a couple of short putts, but the way

he used the contours of the course, not everything came off perfectly,

but it was a master class, and under 72, I have been banging on

about this course being a par 70, but when the weather's windy, any

time you get a 72 round here, you not too dissatisfied. It is a

slightly elevated tee on 11, with the wind whistling behind Lucas

Glover. 244 yards to go, he has got a five-iron, and he needs to have a

little bit of caution because he does not want to go through the

back - there is a giddy the bunker, waiting. -- greedy bunker.

wasn't a bad shot. It landed fairly softly. It stopped on a 45 degree

slope. He is staring at it as if he cannot believe it. Not too bad.

small target ones of them actually all sides, front left, back left,

the back right gathers fractionally, but not a lot. Playing 244 today.

What sort of club are they using? Five-irons, but let us watch the

length of Darren's follow-through It will go back down... Nearly. So

join the lead. He is hanging in really well. Has not had the

greatest time of late, but amazing coming back to the scene of an

almost Open triumph eight years ago, it has brought back good memories

for him. We are on Darren Clarke, 67, 66 to claim the lead at Royal

Troon in 1997. He finished second. No one remembers second. Dustin

Johnson has just let one go at certain, good chance to get it back.

He has got a great pair of hands Jarvis of BBC fame, he used to play

against Ian Woosnam when he was a on the crest of a wave. That is not

the way to a richer future, playing golf against Ian Woosnam in

birdie opportunity as long as you bunkers, a perfect tee shot. The

flag is on the centre-right hand side of the green, so a great angle.

Once you get on to the top section, it is one of the flattest greens

and Royal St George's. -- Royal Saint George's. The right idea,

certainly was not a putt he was trying to hold. Darren was paying

comments from the galleries around here, they are saying he could have

have taken their waterproofs off. Well done, the 5th birdie of his

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four birdies today. Anthony Kim at having a great day, 6-over today,

5-over for the Championship. He has three to play. But he still has

Peter Uihlein by a couple of shots. I have a fiver with Andrew Cotter

over the amateur. It remains tied at the top of the Championship with

Dustin Johnson. When we get an opportunity, we can have a look

round the hole because Bob from Wallasey has written in asking

whether it is more difficult for the later players to hold a putts

drive, real birdie opportunity. Misjudged. Suddenly he is

struggling to make par. Not firing around the hall, picking the ball

out, do you think it is more likely a ball will spin out at the later

stages of the day? I have always sought the late players have the

worst of the course conditions. think they certainly do, but not

like they used to in the old days of metal spikes, and the white

paint in the hole can found the hole up so it will reject the ball.

But I would rather play in the last Strong left-to-right breeze.

Playing Pebble Beach when the courses are wet and soft and the

polar greens, they were horrendous, like waffles. They were affected by

a full field. Beautiful place, but He certainly has. There is a bunker

out at 350 that he might trouble. Down the right side, he is all

right. Right in between them. Maybe a slightly awkward stance for his

in Championship golf, couldn't they? Every one of them adds a

degree of difficulty for the iron play into the greens. Modern golf

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a very good score. Very, very few people will be around the 70 mark

or better today. It has been a rough old day here on the Kent

coast, all of our volunteers have been here. I love the shots. Such

slow-motion you can almost see the rain drops. Here it is the young

man, Fowler, and our man behind. And the poor old battered umbrellas.

The umbrella salesmen might have done quite well today. Clarke has

got a smile on his face, playing nicely. Glover is getting more

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spin off the front. It was a fairly shot, good second, good pitch. Only

second to 12. Not a pull shot. Well Oh, dear, dear, dear. That was a

It was off line early. That is a chance gone begging for Thomas. I

am sure at the start of the week if you told him he would only be one

off the lead well into the third round he would have been very happy.

delighted with that. Might not be the easiest putt in the world,

but... It is his birthday on Monday, turns 26. That would be a nice

birthday present. I thought he was only 24! No, 25 on Monday, you are

correct. I can't read my own the player from America. He took

7th at the 14th, so a good round him with work to do. He is

Bob the Builder, who fell off some scaffolding recently and broke

every bone in his body. I hope you are feeling better. All the best.

Darren, a good pitch in here. is for the lead on his own, but

this putt will do its best to surprised. He had missed a few

early on, but that one was right in our. Darren Clarke takes the lead,

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he's going to put a smile on his face, rain or shine. I think you're

right, Ken. He took their hourly reverses very well. He must have

fancied that one. It is certainly working, that attitude, for Darren

Clarke. He is looking very relaxed. But he is playing well - that

one of the most frightening shots in golf with the out-of-bounds, all

the way down the right. Not that the court to send one on the

Prince's course out of bounds. Straight drive here, 142, left at

into one of the bunkers that literate this fairway -- litter

this fairway. Johnson, 15th, a birdie chance to tie the lead.

Super birdie at 15, which is a tough par four. Dustin Johnson of

not playing regularly enough, go and find yourself a young buck -

that is what he told his caddy. That sounds like a nice way of

the Championship, as Thomas Bjorn hits a low fade with a long iron.

That was very nicely played by the looks of it. He has been very

impressive this week. Him and Darren Clarke showing an awful lot

of form. He will not be unhappy if he finishes up tucked in behind,

keeping out of the real pressure that bears down on those who are

right out in front. You may well be right. I don't think that Thomas

Bjorn is very fast, either way, but sometimes I think that is an

advantage -- verye fussed. Here is Darren Clarke. Someone likes it.

Very good now, despite the sprinkler interruption. Close to

laws bunkers, though. -- those bunkers. He is swinging well, the

stroke is good, the brain is good, he could go all the way. He has

been working with psychologist Carl enjoying things and we are

certainly enjoying his progress. The most significant moves this

afternoon - not just an Darren Clarke but from others to stop

Rickie Fowler set out when the Sandwich storm was in its full

flight, but he hardly flinched with a superlative round of 68, the best,

by some way, of the day. His compatriot Dustin Johnson has been

struggling with a virus this week. But if he was feeling under the

weather it has not been showing. Back to back birdies rolling in for

the man from South Carolina. Three- under for the day, 5-under for the

Championship. Darren Clarke made an emphatic statement of intent at the

first, and he has galvanised his challenge thanks to that birdie at

the 12 goes up he has been leading on his own, or with company, all

afternoon, and he looks comfortable two. -- too. Darren Clarke has

company with Dustin Johnson and Thomas Bjorn right in the thick of

things. It has been pretty steady from Thomas Bjorn. And Rickie

Fowler, in with a 68. Hansen and Glover also in a tie for fourth

place. Some of the big names backing up, including the likes of

Davis Love, all sharing seven plays at the moment. And I believe we're

going back to Darren Clarke. pin is right to date. That was just

a little shy of it but right at it. Jiminez got close to the cross

bunkers, just 105 yards remaining, have to push it too far. There is

the out of bounds. When you hit that bank, it is not impossible for

it to be Oscar Bravo., Lewis has reached the 17th. -- Tom Lewis.

Birdie, yes! He has waited a while for that. Like so many, he has had

a hard day. The first birdie of the coming through. There is some weeks

sunshine up there. Yes, we have won to have some sunshine in half-an-

hour. It was the collective intake of breath from the gallery that

seemed to steered Darren Clarke's ball and the bunker, such is the

support that he has got here. They are firing them right at the

pin now, and stopping them pretty quick. It does not seem to have

gone too far into the sand and places, but now the greens are very

receptive. Can blubber get it any closer? The pin is there to be

This has been quite a round, four bogeys on the way out. Then the

weather turned. And he had a birdie at the ninth and then three more

than the back nine, and brought himself back into contention. He

finished seventh at Birkdale three years ago. Kyle Stanley that he was

playing with got a 77, so that wasn't great. Now, just this to

take the at right lead. -- outright. He wanted it. But he is a man who

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when he lost that Major in dramatic Plenty of club. It is a long haul

into the wind today. Up hill, the second, hasn't quite got it up that

bank at the front, but it is not curly but I don't think there is as

much in it as it appears. It comes Johnson. 1-under for this round.

And here it comes. Blue-sky. It was Bjorn from a similar spot. Both

players must identically. -- missed. Still tucked away, though. No

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two par fives are much more benign than it was playing earlier in the

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middle, no aiming left there. He is cut from a slightly sturdier piece

of cloth. Perhaps he has not been here as many times as we have!

have been chatting a huge amount, saying. We will have to ask Darren

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to take off his waterproofs. went out hand-crafted this morning.

This is far from easy of course, still difficult, but this morning

was the end of the world. There is a bunker at 300 yards on the left

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shot out of Reagan. -- out of and round of the day if it stayed

miserable, but things have over the Suez Canal there in two

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green in 14. All of the talk of American golf being weak, there are

10 of them in the top 15 here. Here alongside Tom Lewis. One a master

of the game, one still learning his playing alongside Phil Mickelson,

as it was playing alongside Tom hill. It will not bend at all.

on for ages doing nothing and has just made three birdies in a row,

quite remarkable, to get back in the middle of the action.

with this one. Took to way to the left. Right off the size 8s. Darren

Clarke had a great lay up there. He just took the Central bunkers right

out of play and has left himself was a difficult shot. Still got

that battle out there for the silver medal. Peter Uihlein double

bogey at this last hole. He is 7- a perfect tee shot. It is like

landing it on the deck of an beyond us. Jimenez. Has he judged

it well? He has indeed, he judged it superbly. From that distance,

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their way would player on the top. That will slip back to private if

he pops that one in. -- back to leader in Darren Clarke. It is an

absolute no-no to miss 17 on the hoping for his first birdie of the

day to get him back to 3-under, just two off the Lee. Isn't it nice

tough day for Tom Lewis. 76 over, plus five, currently a tie for 33rd

position. A battle for the silver medal. I don't think Darren is

paying much attention to the score board that is directly opposite him

now, but it he did he would know side of the hole. It is a par,

worse things have happened at the 14th. Still smiling. After five or

six groups this morning, the hole was averaging Bob-6, which was

level par for the Championship. He still has a squeak at it. He may

need a bit of help. Five shots behind, everyone has tales like

this, but how many have we see bogeys on his card, a pretty good

crowd. Could be really good. That was a tremendous shot! How he

judged that, he thumped it in there up and down, an element of good

fortune. He's get it over the bank. Three-under, two behind. And this

is Tom Morris at the 16th. Chad Campbell out of the bunker at the

15th. Clouds, Sailing By. 1-under Every green that he leaves, the

stands empty and the crowds wore after him. It is a long time since

I have seen him looking so relaxed on a golf course. Sometimes it

looks as if he is reluctant to break off a conversation to get on

and play a short. What is the news and this 15th tee shot, Maureen?

The players cannot yet get a view of it but they can sometimes

glimpse a bunker raker working away beautiful skyline now. That is to

cut the wind off the right, it kind of suits him. I think he is giving

it the old Geoff Boycott, in his pocket. He would have snaffled it,

if he could, wouldn't he! I thought he might palm it onto the green -

and that would have been an almighty rules final. -- tangle.

Anders Hansen over Duncan's Hollow, driver and that might be a little

bit too much, the wind is slightly helping now. He brings that far

bunker into play. He has wriggled past it. That is again short. -- a

game short. It went skittering past that bunker. 14 wins, some very big

ones in there for Darren Clarke, doesn't really tell the whole story.

That was a brave decision by Lucas Glover and Darren Clarke, using the

driver here. Be lucky, be lucky. And that is immensely lucky. That

is the narrowest fairway, a magical shot. Anders Hansen, then, got to

And he has let one at least slip, record with five missed cuts from

eight attempts. Thomas Bjorn has think he will hit it? There has got

to be a draw. I have a feeling that he didn't fancy that shot. That was

a shocker. Well, he missed the up nicely, the final round,

jockeying for position. A good reward for the fans who have braved

the nasty conditions, the sunshine now, and some sparkling golf.

for bogey. You do not want to finish with a double. That is a

horrible way to finish it, a chip and a three putt. It is a shame,

because he had put together a good round of golf. That will be a 72.

And even par, going into the last get back to level par. And it is

coming round! Tom Lehman rolls one in. That is his third birdie, back

inside the top ten. After three dropped shots in the first six

Should not be too bad a chip, somewhere round the apron, just let

it popped up and roll down. That was very well played, beautiful

chip at the last, and another Adam Scott, the birthday boy, 31

today. Finishing up nicely on the 18th, that his par, a round of 73,

Keep going. Oh, no! I would call for a ruling. That was ridiculous.

from overhead, which was denied a bus and there, with the wind and

edge of the 18th, for two. Air there in the week he had swollen

glands and the slight infection. Can you get it if you shake his

hand? Probably can! I will be back of golf. Very, very impressive.

Back to his best. Nice tight lie with that little ridge to get over,

and the green teacher fractionally from right to left. There is a

little upstroke, 15 ft short. Glover on 15. Good lie, trying to

land this at 190, on to the front edge of the green. He has done that

fortune. He could have been in the Maureen, how far has he left

himself? The further right he goes, the longer the carry to the green.

Leave it, wind, leave it, this could be a dream ticket of a short.

it gathered there to the right, you the right club, he had the tactics.

He was brave off the tee. He was very brave. That was the second

shot that he could be aggressive with. His nearest challenger Dustin

Johnson, with a backwards chip and 50 courses in very close proximity

wind, Martin Kaymer and just hit a five-iron - that is how strong the

wind still is out here. Massive crowds out here, amazing, great

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think that is pretty close, but it well done. 72, level. Slightly

disappointing, that double bogey at the 15th, but three birdies on the

card, and coming out, he would have definitely taken that. We can will

come Wayne Grady back to the box. Yes, the third round of the Open

Championship, the closing stages, and what a difference if you're as

makes -- a few hours. And now the leaders, already out in front, have

had the pick of the conditions. 1961. This is the fifth Open

Championship for Peter Alliss. Welcome back. That is very kind of

you. Here is Lucas Glover for a championships, have slipped by.

cannot see many tougher days than today. I have seen worse, I think

Neil field was bad and I remember look forward to the challenge. Not

everyone looking forward to the challenge. But these lads have got

it much, much easier and they are taking advantage of it. Oh, another

one slips by. He has played horse race, but he has kept it

nicely done. -- Glover just putting tomorrow, not a cavalry charge, but

there will be the usual suspects in with a shout and then an outsider

might sneak in early. We will have to see what conditions are like

here yesterday, but they are although he has tweaked that a

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one birdie. Martin Kaymer for a all sorts of troubles last time he

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the flag. And Darren Clarke making today for Thomas Bjorn. He is still

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green at the 16th, as is Lucas exposed green, 17, with the wind

blowing in the direction that it is. Only two 68s today, and a 70 from

Anthony Kim. The scoring has been very difficult. We thought it

earlier on, 72 was going to be a very good score, that is the way it

international qualifying tournament in the United States. He has still

maintained his passion, 47 years old, a one-time Major winner, 20

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the first portion of the putt for Both players have played nicely,

tappings for a rounds of 72. Tap- ins for a round of 72. This crowd

is gathering here and beginning to get behind the Irishman. It is

incredible to think it is 2006 since he played in that Ryder Cup

and we are seeing the same sort of has offered two bed is and the 18th

right from the first hole, down the fairway, talking to his official,

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weighted at every hole. The 17th hole, playing 424 yards today.

Looks fairly innocuous, everything at eye-level. You don't get many

clear views of the targets here, one of the features of Royal Saint

George's. You can see there's evil bunkers, they really are proper

bunkers. -- those evil bunkers. A bit of a bank at the front red the

arrows are coming down to the front of the green. He is going well, the

old feller. Moving a little slower than days of your, but holding it

together very well indeed. Just two holes left, must get the job

have seen many a player pin down just over that false tier. Nothing

him the best angle into today's flag, and he has just seen Martin

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That is rare these days. An interesting swing. Also catches a

bit of a downslope up into the high ground. That is good, too. It is

amazing, if that was over in America and the members saw their

fairway looked like that on television, they would be

horrified! But it is links golf, extended. There is a big halt back

down the middle, two bunkers down the left. Chad Campbell has left

himself after-yard putt here. At least he found the green on the

right level. That putt from Martin camera was very disappointing. --

17th green. We have seen a few long-range efforts finishing

nowhere near the hole. Left-handed a four-time Major champion Phil

Mickelson has come here to win the Open Championship. We can hear from

You said you were looking forward to the bad weather - did you enjoy

it? I had a great time do they. It eased up. When the rain went away

this course started to come down. It was difficult. I felt like I let

a few short putts get away that could have kept me around par, even

in that bad stuff bus-stop we noticed you had two gloves on - is

that just to help you rip the club a back-up? Yes, because the clubs

can still get wet and soggy tacky. How do you assess the position now?

Level par, not too many players above you this evening. Yes but

there are some really good players ahead of me. The fun thing is to

have a good chance on Sunday. I have not had a lot of those, and I

am really excited to be over here this year to have that opportunity.

I will have to go out tomorrow and play good around and shoot

something under-par, that will be based on the weather, but I feel

like I am ready to do it. The wish you're the best. Thank you. -- we

now. Only five back, but he would like to be one or two closer.

Darren Clarke seems to be in fantastic form. This 18th hole is

playing really difficult. The wind has changed direction. Jiminez

still 212 yards into the wind, off to left, and this is a 3-iron from

a severe upslope. That is his problem, wanting to keep the ball

low and running. Exactly. He has probably not got enough club. Not

even close to been enough, that 3- iron. But if he can keep it low, it

would be. It is difficult. Sometimes with a 7-wood, or a five,

you would just poppet straight up in the air. There is no hardship

coming up short of this green as long as you are on the right side

done that over, and it has caught the downslope on the left-hand side.

Just short of the stone path that we saw Tom Lewis on yesterday.

Darren Clarke, second at the 17th. That could be a chaser. It is not

going to chase enough. The idea was good. He wanted a bit more beef.

The percentage shot is definitely left of the flag. Lucas Glover,

just a whisker short? It is not so simple to get down in two from

there. Perfect spot for Thomas Bjorn. Telling it left, come on,

blaze! -- Drilling it left, come on breeze. You are knocking down the

second shot and keeping it under the grandstand, listening the

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Duston, well played, a round of 68, the best golf of the day so far.

it was a great today. I played very solid, all day long, I holed a few

putts. First time I was in a sand trap was later on, so why have done

that it will to get around the bunkers. Astle had a good look at

par, but those were two bad bogeys. Were you surprised by a Howell you

dealt with the conditions, particularly as you have not been

feeling well this week? It is tough out there but as long as you

captain the ball on the right side of the Rolls, you going to have a

good look at birdies or easy pars, and that is what I have done well

all week, really controlled the flight of the ball. Today was

probably the worst driving day. I hit a few good ones but a few poor

ones. I played really well. And you are looking better - those that

issue antibiotics have sorted you out. Yes I am feeling better, and I

think I will feel much better tomorrow. And there is every chance

you could play in the final group of the Open Championship. A couple

of near misses at the US Open. What do you think you have learned from

those occasions? You learn a lot about yourself when you're in a

situation. For me, I just need to take it slow, one shot at a time,

don't get too fast, stays low, my routine, just do everything at a

good pace. When I played bad at the US Open I got really fast, so

tomorrow, I am just going to enjoy the moment and play one shot at the

time. We will enjoy watching you, and very well played today. Thank

bus-stop a typical windy English links day, and the three best

scores are so far are from Americans, Anthony Kim, Dustin

Johnson and Rickie Fowler. Although Darren Clarke is currently 1-under

on his round. Yes to six thes and a 73. Lucas Glover putting up the

the back foot. Nicely played. deft. Lucas Glover, for his par.

That will be a bogey, dropping him back to tie with Jiminez. Lots of

players have missed that putt, everyone have missed it, low.

could be a little rough patch. It looks like a doormat, where

somebody has been wiping their had played a good second shot, but

walked away with a bogey. It is still Darren, well done, son. He

tried the dribbling method. So poor par. -- Super par. And now just one

three shots back, but more importantly, he has put himself in

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a position to have another chance he pops this in it is 12 pars in a

row. 12 in a row, two drop shots stalwarts of the European Tour. The

with Rickie Fowler and the second to last group and the things remain

the same it will be Clarke and Johnson. We saw a member, the great

Spaniard, Seve Ballesteros, who round for the last pair. They have

waited on most holes. They have been out there for three hours 55

right in the front. He has had an extraordinary day -- Martin Kymer.

He probably thinks he has been unfortunate onto was three shots,

but he is still hanging around, in Clarke. On a bit of an upslope, but

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smacks it away. That is pretty good champion, doing commentary for an

American network. It's his ESPN, who have not been a huge part of

sport in the last couple of years, forecast today. They got it all

right, didn't they? Maybe they will get a pay rise. You would not think

we were in the same country if you look at the blue skies and fluffy

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up to the last. Dustin Johnson with a brilliant round of 68, and 68 for

Rickie Fowler in some of the worst of the weather. At the start of

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Darren's round, there were 13 hurry up and wait. They are amongst

the most punctual people in the world, I have found. Golf

professionals and people who work in television are usually very,

bunkers illustrated very well on the left. The club house is tucked

away in those trees behind the stand on the left-hand side. You

cannot see it from there but there is a building behind the 18th green

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where you might call what the seem to have been too bothered by

the board bit of waiting. I must say, I thought it would be a mental

appears to turn from the left, but started at 3-under. Only six people

ahead of him. He will be defending is on a bit of an upslope. A clean

shot right to the centre of the green. And a nice bounce and a skip

right out of the middle of the club phase. He has missed a few chances

on the greens, but all in all he has got a putt for 68. Louis Glover

playing the same club as Clark, a of the better iron shots we have

Clarke. Wait until you hear the applause -- they are all here to

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Lucas Glover but particularly Darren Clarke. Both played

beautiful shots into this final there just where he is walking. A

bit of a change in elevation. It is always difficult putting from a

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all money. Maybe a touch less pace get to within three. Still no

Only a couple of birdies at the 17th. Just a little bit more work

Round in 73. Just needs to pay attention and finish off this

good play we have seen today, in foul conditions for a lot of the

day. Darren Clarke just with two dropped shots, the 5th and the

eight. He missed a few good opportunities in the first few

holes but all in all he will be delighted with his effort and score,

and we look forward to a cracking day tomorrow. Let's hope we get a

kind of start to the day, weather wise. Somebody will go home

tomorrow as the champion. This great event has been played 140

times, starting in 1860 but was not played in the war years. Off to

different from eight or ten hours ago, and we look forward to having

you with us tomorrow, and I wonder whose name will be up on top of

that leaderboard, the sting tomorrow night? -- this time

A superlative round from Darren Clarke, 69, and he leads the Open

Championship by one shot, with Dustin Johnson in hot pursuit.

Rickie Fowler out of Tory McIlroy in the teeth of the gale, comes

home of the 68 as well. Thomas Bjorn has been a steady presence

until that bogey at the 17th. And he is certainly not out of it. Six

players under-par, and 12, par or better, so there is going to be a

race to get up that leaderboard. Scoring was very difficult LA on.

Tom Watson led the way with a terrific 72. Trevor Immelman fault

them with another 72. Pablo Larrazabal will be disappointed

with his 6-over par round. Tom Morris still in the hunt for the

silver medal. He leads the American amateur champion, PeterBy a couple

of shots. Stephen Gallacher, home with a 77. Gregory Bourdy run up a

ten at one hole, Elliot on, that was the largest one we had out

At the end of it all, it has been a long, tiring day, Ken Brown, you

have got to assess a couple of superlative rounds, particularly in

the teeth of the storm. But Darren Clarke - let's talk through his

progress. How would you sum up his day? One of the greatest ball

striking performances I have seen. He got off to a perfect start with

a birdie at the first hole. It was a joy to watch. And to get round in

69, it was an exceptional round of golf. It was the perfect start. It

was a proper statement of intent. And it was forced by the second

shot to the first. This really sums it up. In these conditions you have

got to control your flight. That was possibly the best second shot

we see today. Conditions were horrendous, 25 Mellor breeze, very

tricky. -- 25 miles an hour breeze. That was for eagle at the seventh.

He would settle for a birdie, to take it back into red numbers. But,

having dropped a short at the next hole, he came to the 12th,

thereafter, and this was his approach. Another little gem, iron

shot after iron shot, Klein straight down towards the flag. --

flying straight down. One of the best ball-striking rounds that Ken

Brown has ever seen. Let's see how Darren Clarke assesses it. Darren,

I think you enjoyed the highlights - does were a very much Dilys and

glossed over some of those must pass. I had one of those days today

where I had full control of my ball flight which you need when you are

playing links. I had so many good shots, especially early on, but I

did not have the speed with my putting so what a few shots go. If

somebody said you would have a 69 before I went out, I would have put

in their hand off. That ovation he received walking up towards the

18th, it looked like you were standing even taller than normal.

Most of the crowd can identify with someone who is not quite an athlete

like all the rest of them. It was fantastic, the support. You have

moved back to Portrush - how much impact has that pad on your game?

It has been great for everything, just to get back home with my

family. Playing well Portrush, and by two boys are down there playing

all the time. My sister and her husband, there two boys, we're all

one big family. And my fiancee lives in Belfast as well so

everything couldn't be better. could be slightly better, you could

be open champion. And you have the chance to realise that green

tomorrow. That would be fantastic. -- that dream. I have been

fortunate to play in Ryder Cups, to be another big tournaments around

the world, but the Majors have so far eluded me. Tomorrow, I have got

a chance. The forecast is for strong winds again and if I play

that way tomorrow, it will suit me Vostok the Majors are always tough

to win, but I should put myself in a position where I can challenge.

We are looking forward to you cling tomorrow, the best of luck. Thank

you. Darren Clarke was in the last group going out at Troon 14 years

ago, do shot behind Jesper Parnevik. And it was Justin Leonard to came

rocketing through the field with a 65 to take the Claret Jug. All of

Northern Ireland and the dreaded kingdom is wishing him well. Could

it be a third Major title for Northern Ireland in just over 13

months? An extraordinary feat. An awful lot of golf to be played, and

an awful lot of golf has been played today, in some shocking

weather. They Kohl Saturday Moving Day but most would have been happy

to stay put in a mostly miserable weather. Umbrella as everywhere. It

is a day for the stout-hearted, the courageous, many of whom have been

there, seen it, done it and won it, men like Tom Watson. You cannot

help but smile when you see the old master standing firm, ignoring the

elements, gracing this great tournament once again. They say

that it is going to get very heavy between 12 and four. These two have

been best buddies all week, but rather than glory McIlroy shining,

it is the Yankee doodle, who has been impressing all before him. 68

for the Snowman. Beware the big unit. Dustin Johnson. He has done

it. Having fun? No! But many were, despite the weather, hot beverage,

Cold beverage, ice-cream? Chilly! Thomas Bjorn is up there nicely, as

so is the other fellow. That is not the best today for Miguel Angel

Jiminez, but he still there. It is very difficult to applaud when you

are holding an umbrella. Is anyone here able to naughty skill? Take a

look at these duties. Some seem was putting from Sergio Garcia. This

man has been holding a flag up in they are forerunner. How cold is

your face? Pretty cold. Come on, that, sort that out. Well done. And

so to be clean-shaven Clark, and the bearded warrior. They started

in the worst of the rain, but, the you know what? I think it is

changing. The almost lost that Lucas Glover, but he found it and

say did and he will be there or thereabouts. Poor old Darren Clarke

kept missing the tiddlers, but all that natural talent soon came back

to him, just when he needed it. Clarke takes the lead. After all

that we have just one day's play remaining. Who will rise, who will

try and, who will claim the Claret Jug? We have talked about the

American challenge. It has not been great in the Majors. They have gone

fight Majors without a title. But there are some very impressive

challengers on that leaderboard. What do you make of Dustin Johnson?

He had a superb round. He knows his way around the Majors. He seems to

enjoy links golf. I can see any reason why he will not be in the

mix tomorrow afternoon. It seems to me that Rickie Fowler had the eye

of the Tiger, right from the off, at the first tee, alongside Rory

McIlroy. It was a very special round because he was out in the

worst of the weather. He seems to love links golf. Takes to it like a

duck to water. Lovely touch on the greens, and he seemed to thrive in

a miserable conditions. It is very difficult to play the game soundly

in those conditions but that was a superb round of 68. I thought

nobody was going to beat that today, and no one did. We will see what he

will manage because he will be in orange tomorrow for Oklahoma State,

his university, to more. Thomas Bjorn, he is under the radar and a

little. How much better do you think that will suit him? He missed

one or two chances early on, but he gathered himself together under

difficult conditions. He will be very pleased with his position. He

hit some beautiful irons as well. We are really looking forward to.

Let me point you in the direction of another couple of programmes we

are looking forward to. A superb insight into Rory McIlroy a's rich

to open lorry. You will not want to miss that. And the world diving

championships taking place in Shanghai. 10am up on the red button

Women's football, the World cup final, Japan against the United

States. 730 tomorrow, BBC Three, and the website. And, 30 years

after Ian Botham's still last summer, memories of 1981 will come

flooding back, soon. -- stellar. was the Marlon Brando and Jimmy

Dean of the Cricket World. He was very wild. He enraged the old guard.

1981 was a tough year. England was might not any good at anything.

History tells us this remarkable story. As unbelievable as Dunkirk.

It did change my life, mostly for That should be very entertaining.

So, too, should not a coverage tomorrow, back at 11 o'clock on BBC

Two for the final round of the 140 Open Championship. The weather

seems to be better. Here the showers forecast for the middle of

the day, but the wind will be a factor, we understand, tomorrow.

That will probably suit Darren Clarke. If he can enjoy his game

had not put too much pressure on himself, he will certainly be the

man to beat. Could it be a third Major title for Northern Ireland in

just over a year? Or, will an American finally ended out in a

Majors? Could it be a great today for a Great Dane, at long last?

This field has been through some of the ugliest weather in recent