Oosthuizen takes 1-shot lead into final round of British Open

SANDWICH, United Kingdom: Louis Oosthuizen held off a charge from Collin Morikawa and Jordan Spieth to stay one shot in front at 12 under par heading into the final round of the British Open at Royal St. George’s.

The South African carded a third-round of 69 on Saturday to stay a stroke ahead of tournament debutant Morikawa and three in front of 2017 Open champion Spieth.

Oosthuizen is aiming to lift the Claret Jug for a second time on Sunday following a 2010 victory at St Andrews – the lone major title of his career.

However, he has finished second in six majors since then, including at the US PGA Championship and US Open in the past two months.

“Finishing second isn’t great, so I will play my heart out tomorrow and see if I can lift the Claret Jug again,” said Oosthuizen.

Resuming on 11 under par in pristine conditions, the world number 13 saw birdie putts at the first two holes shave the cup in a run of six straight pars.

But he birdied the par-five seventh and then picked up another shot at the ninth.

However, after dropping just one shot in his opening two rounds, bogeys at 11 and 13 allowed Morikawa and Spieth to briefly take a share of the lead.

Oosthuizen regained his composure and his precise putting for birdie at the par-three 16th to retake the lead outright to huge cheers with 32,000 fans in attendance at Sandwich on England’s south-east coast.

“There’s lots of golf left, but it was so great with all the fans there. It felt like it was a Sunday afternoon really when I made the putt and I was taking the lead,” added Oosthuizen.

Morikawa will again be Oosthuizen’s partner in the final group after the young American recovered from a poor start to shoot a 68.

Photo — AFP South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen looks at the line of his ball on the 17th fairway during his third round on day 3 of The 149th British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George’s, Sandwich.