The Open 2012: One bad hole costs Greg Owen at Lytham

The 141ST OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

  • Venue: Royal Lytham & St Annes
  • Date: 19-22 July

Coverage: Live on BBC TV, HD, Red Button, online and mobile (UK only) and Radio 5 live; text commentary on BBC Sport website (#bbcgolf) and mobiles; watch again on iPlayer

Mansfield's Greg Owen suffered cruel luck as one bad hole cost him his first under-par round of the week at the 141st Open Championship.

After a birdie at the fourth, Owen then parred his way round until he got to the 15th where he ran up a double bogey six to card a third successive 71.

"I thought the hole was never though going to end," he said.

"I had the worst four lies in a row I've ever had and actually did well to get away with a six."

The 40-year-old, who sits on three over, told BBC Radio Nottingham: "[It was] all down to one drive a bit out of position.

"I hit it left and thought I might get a break from where the spectators had been trampling but it turned out that it had ricocheted off the grandstand and into a bush.

"I then squirted it out across the fairway and into the worst rough on the course. And, from there, I ended up in a bunker with water in it.

"But I somehow got a good up and down.

"I actually drove the ball a lot better today but couldn't putt. All I can hope now is that I end with a good score tomorrow."