Written by: Manvi Singh

 

It’s as if the South African pro-golfer, Louis Oosthuizen is just not ready to move down the leaderboard as he closes Day 3 with 12 under par 69. 

 

 

Louis Oosthuizen after closing his Day 3 under the Sandwich sunshine. (Source: theopen.com)

 

 

After the end of Day 3, Oosthuizen is still the man to beat at The 149th Open on the Royal St George’s grounds as he harbours a one-shot lead over the American pro-golfer Collin Morikawa.

 

Leading the grounds for 18 and 36 holes, Oosthuizen is foot-tapping his way to Day 4 with the Claret Jug in his sight, 11 years after his maiden success at St Andrew’s. As per Jack Nicklaus, Oosthuizen won his battle for The Open right there itself as he believes, “If you’re going to be a player people will remember, you have to win The Open at St Andrew’s.”

 

With the difficult task done in the past, it seems like Oosthuizen is all set for lifting the Claret Jug yet the close call between Morikawa and him is what would be the interesting set to wonder upon Sunday. 

 

"I am going to play my heart out tomorrow and see if I can lift the Claret Jug again," states as he closes for Day 3. 

 

The Open debutant Morikawa had a chance to in him on -12 with a birdie putt on 18 but it did not threaten the hole and he will have to chase again on Sunday. 

 

 

Colin Morikawa post his Day 3 victory. (Source: theopen.com)

 

 

After one point on Saturday, it seemed as if Oosthuizen was just going to pick up the Claret Jug and run with all his might, as after six pars to start, Oosthuizen – who started on -11 – picked up a birdie at the par-5 7th and pulled it up with a subtle birdie at 9 by holing a gorgeous putt with plenty of right-to-left breaks. It felt ominous.

 

This too was followed by two bogeys which dropped the hopes for Oosthuizen sighting a three-way tie for Jordan Spieth and Collin Morikawa with him, yet a beautiful uplift at the 15 is what soared him up the charts yet again. 

 

 

A three-star lead for Jordan Spieth after Day 3. (Source: theopen.com)

 

 

Saturday morning’s leaderboard may have shown the three main protagonists out front, but at least a dozen players were lurking over their shoulders and ready to beat the lead and pounce on the phenomenal silver Golf Champion Trophy. 

 

Major winners such as Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Sergio Garcia were all within striking distance but none of them mounted a serious challenge on a tougher set-up. 

 

A second Claret Jug seems unlikely for Shane Lowry but the defending Champion is consistent with a -1 round of 69 puts him at -5 for the Championship. A top-ten finish will be in his sights. 

 

Watch Now: Full-Day Highlights for Day 3 at The Open

 

 

 

Leaderboard after the end of Day 3. (Source: theopen.com)