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The Open third round - Live

by Sam Lyon - BBC Sport (U7305341) 21 July 2007

Sergio Garcia will resume his Open charge on six under par at 1430 BST, hoping to close on his first major following a superb start at Carnoustie.

The 27-year-old led by two strokes overnight, ahead of KJ Choi who will partner the Spaniard on Saturday.

With the leading pack not due on the tee until late in the day, Ian Poulter, David Howell and Luke Donald will be the main home draws in the morning.

And the Scottish challenge is led by Alastair Forsyth, the 31-year-old lying on one under, with the likes of Colin Montgomerie and Paul Lawrie failing to make the cut. Forsyth will get going at 1350.

However, the bookies have now installed Garcia as firm favourite for the tournament - anc the Spaniard will be only the 12th player in the Open's 147-year history to lead from first round to last if he is successful.

So, can he do it? Who will be the top Briton? What might the winning score be, with conditions forecast to be wet and windy all weekend?

Or can Jim Furyk tear himself out of the pub long enough (see Friday's 'Quotes of the Day' piece) to launch his own challenge? Let us know your thoughts...

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comment by RAITHRFC (U7904149)

posted Jul 21, 2007

I apprecaite your comments but I want to watch the best players on the day not someone spraying it about. Let's face it very few of the shots are actually live so come on BBC it's not the Tiger show.

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comment by SpeakingCivilised (U4846795)

posted Jul 21, 2007

Stricker needs only a par-round to win the jug if Garcia scores a 75. I doubt that Els and others six strokes behind stand a good chance.

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comment by sunnny (U1734679)

posted Jul 21, 2007

I would love to see Sergio win his first major, he is a great player and was brilliant in the ryder cup.
That said it if far from over.Bring it on.

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comment by DRDORNAN (U9070365)

posted Jul 21, 2007

I would'nt count tiger out yet if he gets within 3-4 shots he is a very intimidating figure

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comment by SpeakingCivilised (U4846795)

posted Jul 21, 2007

Has Tiger ever won a tournament when trailing by 8 shots on the final day? In majors, he never won when trailing by even one shot.

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comment by Matt Slater (U1647490)

posted Jul 22, 2007

Morning all, it's alright, Sam, you're not the only man up this early on a grey, grey Sunday, England's Jon Bevan has already started his assault on the leaderboard.

He qualified for the Open from the same local qualifying tournament that Paul Lawrie emerged from eight years ago....but he's going to have to go some to replicate Lawrie's last-day charge. Not that the Weymouth-based pro should be too disappointed with his display here. He came dead last at Hoylake last year so while he is bringing up the rear again this weekend at least he is looking at a �9,500 cheque.

The big chat in town last night concerned Sergio's last-day wardrobe. Would he go for the Spanish-themed colour scheme of Saturday, Real Madrid white or shamelessly play to the galleries in blue and white with tartan tam o' shanter and ginger fright wig? Any of those would be preferable to last year's "I'm a lemon" ensemble. And others wondered how many spectators the players could knock over today.

The smaller chat was that Sergio really should win this now, shouldn't he? After all, the reasoning went, he's got a six-shot lead over his nearest genuine challengers. Hmmm, Steve Stricker might sound like a cartoon character but he has been knocking on the door for a win as loudly as anybody else in the States this year - four top-fives already this year to follow his seven top-10s last year.

The real key will be what happens if somebody can get something going early on and get within a couple of Sergio by the time he starts...then we'll see if he has the stomach for the fight with his new belly putter.

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comment by kilted1 (U9074202)

posted Jul 22, 2007

Jean Van de Velde did not play this year at Carnoustie yet I've seen about as much of him as I have of the 'in-your-face' Tiger Woods. Poor Jean, had he rights to the film of his 1999 meltdown he would be an extremely wealthy, and happy, little Frenchman.

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comment by SpeakingCivilised (U4846795)

posted Jul 22, 2007

Year of the Argentinians? I am guessing it will be Romero. If he falters, I am backing Harrington. Sergio is fast fading.

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comment by SpeakingCivilised (U4846795)

posted Jul 22, 2007

Now, we are sure to have a European winning the Open. Harrington or Garcia. That's the only question.

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comment by DomInFrance (U6042440)

posted Jul 23, 2007

Neil4CardiffCity,
Sorry I didn't see your post until it was too late. I went to the official website where they were broadcasting live radio. Never mind, it'll be useful next year.

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