The 152nd British Open at Royal Troon took a dramatic turn on Saturday as American golfer Billy Horschel seized the lead with a remarkable 2-under 69 in treacherous conditions. Horschel, now at five under for the tournament, demonstrated exceptional resilience in the face of heavy rain and strong winds that turned the day into a test of survival for the field.The challenging weather had a significant impact on the leaderboard, with overnight leader Shane Lowry struggling to a 77, dropping him to ninth place. Lowry, visibly frustrated, described the round as ‘brutal’ but remained optimistic about his chances, stating, ‘I can still win this tournament’.A group of six players, including USPGA Championship winner Xander Schauffele, Justin Rose, and Open debutant Daniel Brown, are just one shot behind Horschel. Brown, ranked 272nd in the world, held the outright lead for a portion of the round before a double bogey on the 18th saw him slip back. His remarkable performance, given his underdog status, has been one of the tournament’s compelling narratives.The day also saw some exceptional performances in the slightly milder morning conditions. South African Thriston Lawrence and American Sam Burns both carded impressive six-under 65s to surge up the leaderboard. World number one Scottie Scheffler remains in contention, two shots off the lead.As the tournament heads into its final round, the top of the leaderboard remains tightly packed, with only five strokes separating the top contenders. With Sunday’s forecast predicting more windy conditions, the stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to this year’s Open Championship.
Key points
- Billy Horschel leads the British Open at five under par after a challenging third round.
- Severe weather conditions, including heavy rain and strong winds, significantly impacted play.
- Previous leader Shane Lowry struggled, dropping to ninth place after shooting a 77.
- Six players, including Xander Schauffele and Daniel Brown, are just one shot behind Horschel.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the reporting of Horschel’s score, with some sources stating he is at four under while others report five under for the tournament.
