Sports

Spieth, Kuchar motor away from chasing pack

July 23, 2017
Jordan Spieth of the US watches his putt on the 15th green during the third round of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal Birkdale, Southport, England, Saturday. — AP
Jordan Spieth of the US watches his putt on the 15th green during the third round of the British Open Golf Championship at Royal Birkdale, Southport, England, Saturday. — AP

SOUTHPORT, UK — Jordan Spieth held a one-shot lead over Matt Kuchar after 15 holes of their third round in the British Open at Royal Birkdale Saturday.

Overnight leader Spieth, who began his round on six-under par, picked up three birdies on the front nine before holing a putt for another birdie on the par-5 15th to move to 10 under par overall.

His fellow American and playing partner Kuchar claimed consecutive birdies at the short 14th and the 15th to move to nine-under par as the chasing pack faded behind.

US Open champion Brooks Koepka was two-under for his round and five-under par overall on the 16th as rain began to fall around 7pm local time (1800 GMT) after conditions had been excellent all day.

South Africa’s Branden Grace is in the clubhouse on four-under par after his major championship record-breaking round of 62 earlier in the day.

Japan’s world No. 2 Hideki Matsuyama is also four-under after shooting a 66 in his third round.

Rory McIlroy refused to get bogged down by his first-round nightmare as he put himself in the frame with a fine round of 68 Friday, moving to five shots off the lead.

But brimming with confidence and clearly able to adjust to the conditions, the 23-year-old Spieth looks well capable of winning a third major, to add to his 2015 Masters and US Open triumphs.

His round Friday featured four bogeys, three birdies and an eagle — the latter coming on the 15th hole.

Kuchar’s one-over-par round of 71, in the gusty winds Friday, was only slightly soured by a bogey on the 18th.

The 39-year-old, who has yet to win a major, found a bunker off the tee on the 18th, had to lay up and then left his third shot short but was able to make a five on the par-four final hole.

Poulter, seeking to become the first Englishman to win the British Open since Nick Faldo at Muirfield in 1992, also handled the tough conditions with aplomb as he shot 70.

Koepke navigated through the challenging weather with 16 pars and two bogeys. — Agencies


July 23, 2017
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