The Land of the Three as Jordan, Xander and Kevin aim for a flag day
Jordan Spieth showed no signs of giving up the Claret Jug without an almighty fight as he took a share of the third round lead.
Spieth shot a flawless six-under 65 to end the day on nine-under, where he was joined by fellow Americans Xander Schauffele and Kevin Kisner.
In fact, there are stars and stripes everywhere you look at Carnoustie as the USA occupy eight of the top 12 places as they look to win a sixth straight Major.
They include a returning and rejuvenated Tiger Woods. He shot a superb 66 to end the day four off the leading trio and in with a chance of claiming a Major that few expected to happen again.
But he will have to produce something even better today to overhaul the men ahead of him, including Spieth.
Sporting a new haircut fresh from a visit to a local barber, the 24-yearold opened with a spectacular eagle two after driving the first green and continued in imperious fashion. The defending Champion picked up four subsequent birdies and did not have a single bogey on his card as he showed his class.
Spieth hasn’t won a tournament since victory at Royal Birkdale 12 months ago, but he has found his form again at Carnoustie.
“I felt like I had something to prove to other people with last year’s Open,” he said. “I don’t feel that now.
“I’m playing golf for me now and I’ve got a cleared mind.”
And he obviously wasn’t hampered by his new haircut, described as ‘military grade’ by fellow leader Kisner, who is sharing a house with Spieth and five others this week.
“I just went into town and found the nearest barber,” said the Texan. “But I don’t think they knew who I was.
“I paid £20. It was like a £9 haircut and I tipped him!
“It was intended to be what I normally get but instead he went a little shorter. It’s a very British haircut, a little shaved on the sides and longer on the top.”
For the third day in a row, Kisner ended in either the lead or the share of the lead as he chases his maiden Major success.
But he was coy about what conversations he might have with Spieth ahead of their Sunday shootout.
“The leaderboard just swapped Jordan with Zach Johnson,” he said. “There won’t be too much said as it’s the end of the week and everyone has a lot of stuff going on.
“But tomorrow morning we’ll all sit around and laugh on the couch and talk about why that guy’s making so many birdies.”
Schauffele is another new name to Open audiences as he is only playing in this event for the second time, but he posted a 67 to share the lead.
He won the Tour Championship on the PGA Tour last year and the 24-year-old will try to become the latest young American to join the ranks of Major winners.
Those three will sleep on the lead but the real electricity of a fascinating third round came in mid-afternoon when Woods’ name appeared at the top of the leaderboard.
Tiger remains the biggest draw in golf, and it was a thrilling sight to see him at his best after all those injury problems and years in the wilderness.
The old swagger was back and when he grabbed his sixth birdie of the round at the 14th, there was nobody ahead of him.
The 42-year-old dropped a shot at the par-three 16th but still managed a 66 – his lowest score at The Open since a 65 at Hoylake in 2006. There have been lots of moments of promise during his comeback in 2018, but this was different. And Woods was genuinely excited about what might happen in the final 18 holes.
“It would be better to be top of the leaderboard on Sunday, but I’m right there,” said the 14-time Major winner.
“I’ve got a chance at this, which is great. I’ve shown I’ve been close enough with a chance to win this year.
“Given what happened the last few years, I didn’t know that would ever happen again. But here I am with a chance come Sunday in a Major Championship. It’s going to be fun.
“I didn’t want to be too far back. I had to stay within reach. And I’m definitely within reach.”
Yet, while Carnoustie was generous on Saturday, the Beast is expected to show its teeth today as winds of around 20mph are forecast, which should make for a dramatic final day.