India’s rising star Shubhankar Sharma celebrated his 22nd birthday at The 147th Open at Carnoustie on Saturday, signing for a second straight even-par 71 to tie in 56th place following the penultimate round.

 

 

 

 

Sharma, a two-time Asian Tour winner, became the youngest Indian to make the halfway cut in a Major championship, just one day before turning 22. He described making his first Major cut in his Open debut as ‘The best birthday gift ever’ for himself.

 

“This is the best birthday present for myself, playing in The Open and making the cut. The weather was perfect today too. This is the best way I could’ve spent my birthday. I received a lot of well wishes and I am really happy to receive all the support that I’ve got,” said Sharma. Starting the round eight shots off the pace, Sharma traded three birdies against three bogeys to trail leaders Jordan Spieth, Kevin Kisner and Xander Schauffele by 11 shots on two-over-par 215 total in the world’s oldest Major championship.

 

“It was a great day. I would like to have played better than I did but I am very happy that I am playing the round today. I did my best yesterday to try and make it to the weekend. I thought I played pretty well. I just didn’t make enough putts.

 

 

 

Defending Open champ Jordan Spieth in share of third-round lead

 

 

 

 

Jordan Spieth set the tone, pulling driver on the 396-yard opening hole and sending the ball bouncing and rolling to 10 feet for eagle.

 

On a day of calm conditions, low scores and endless cheers, the biggest buzz Saturday was anticipating what the final round might bring. Jordan Spieth didn't want to give back the Claret Jug this week. After three strong rounds (and one bad haircut), he has a chance to take it back.

 

"We've got pretty much a new tournament tomorrow," Spieth said.

 

Spieth rode his eagle to a bogey-free round of 6-under 65, giving him a three-way tie for the lead with Xander Schauffele and Kevin Kisner and a chance to become the first player in 10 years to win back-to-back Open Championships.

 

 

 

 

 

Woods thrills with a score of 66 to get into contention

 

 

 

 

 

Tiger Woods shot a 5-under 66 on Saturday at the 147th Open Championship to get to 5 under overall for the week and in the house at 208 strokes going into Sunday. Woods co-led the event at one point during Round 3 as he touched 6 under for a few holes and shared the lead with Jordan Spieth, Tommy Fleetwood and a handful of others. It was remarkable given that he has no top 10s at majors and just three made cuts since the end of 2013.

 

 

 

Justin Rose equals Carnoustie Open record with third-round 64

 

 

 

Justin Rose’s name had just crept on to the giant yellow scoreboards around the 18th green for the first time this week by virtue of his birdie at the previous hole but by the time he left it, it had moved up a notch to four under after he sunk his seventh birdie putt to complete a 64, equalling an Open record for Carnoustie.