The Sunday Post (Inverness)

Caddie Zack had to tell Branden he had made Major history

As Spieth takes three-shot lead into final day

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Jordan Spieth.

“It’s always nice shooting a low number whether it’s any day of the week, in a tournament or with friends.

“But then finding out what you’ve done makes it even better. To do it at The Open Championsh­ip is very special. It’s awesome and something I’ll remember forever.”

There had already been three birdies but when he added ones at eight and nine to turn in 29, the whispers about a possible 62 began.

Those were reignited when Grace holed monster putts at the 14th and 16th to get to seven-under for the day.

The 29- year- old only had to find one more birdie to put his name into the record books and that came at the par-five 17th .

And as he impressive­ly got down in two from the back of the green at the 18th, he had sealed his place in golfing history.

Grace had started the day in a tie for 45th on four-over-par. But his scintillat­ing display left him in a tie for fifth, albeit seven behind Spieth.

However, it was an opportunit­y lost for Rory McIlroy after he could only manage a one-under 69.

Three birdies in his first five holes, including a chip- in at the fourth sparked hopes of a Saturday charge, but he handed all those back in a costly spell around the turn.

There is no doubt that the 2014 Open winner was hoping for better, as he ended the day nine off the pace.

He said: “I’ve always been good when I get off to fast starts to keep it going and I didn’t today. That’s the disappoint­ing thing.”

It was a similar story for England’s Ian Poulter. He had talked up his chances after round two, but a mixed bag of a 71 saw him heading backwards on the leaderboar­d.

So, after one of the most exciting days in The Open’s long history, which was made unforgetta­ble by Grace, Spieth remains the man to catch over the final 18 holes.

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