Morikawa and Spieth hot on Oosthuizen’s heels
SANDWICH: Louis Oosthuizen held off a charge from Collin Morikawa and Jordan Spieth to stay one shot in front heading into the final round of the British Open at Royal St George’s.
The South African carded a thirdround of 69 on Saturday to stay a stroke ahead of tournament debutant Morikawa and three in front of 2017 Open champion Spieth.
Oosthuizen was aiming to lift the Claret Jug for a second time 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 PGA Championship and US Open in the past two months.
“Finishing second isn’t great, so I will play my heart out and see if I can lift the Claret Jug again,” said Oosthuizen.
Resuming on 11-under par in pristine conditions, the world No.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.
Morikawa, 24, recovered from a poor start to shoot a 68.
The 24-year-old American dropped two shots in his first six holes, but made the turn in level par for his round.
Consecutive birdies at 13 and 14 left Morikawa well-placed to add a second major title to his 2020 PGA Championship crown.
Spieth’s bid for a second Open Championship faltered late on as he bogeyed both the last two holes.
LEADING THIRD ROUND SCORES
(par-70)
198 — Louis Oosthuizen (RSA) 64-65-69
199 — Collin Morikawa (USA) 67-64-68
201 — Jordan Spieth (USA) 65-67-69
202 — Corey Conners (CAN) 68-68-66, Scottie Scheffler (USA) 67-66-69
203 — Mackenzie Hughes (CAN) 66-69-68, Jon Rahm (ESP) 71-64-68, Dylan Frittelli (RSA) 66-67-70