American golfer Billy Horschel has seized the lead at the 152nd British Open at Royal Troon, Scotland, after a challenging third round marked by harsh weather conditions. Horschel’s impressive 2-under 69 put him at 4-under overall, giving him a one-stroke lead heading into the final round.The day was characterized by strong winds and rain, creating what Horschel described as ‘the hardest nine holes I think you could ever play in golf right now’. Despite these conditions, Horschel’s short game proved crucial in maintaining his lead.A group of six players are hot on Horschel’s heels, just one stroke behind at 3-under. This group includes Thriston Lawrence and Sam Burns, who both carded remarkable 6-under 65s to surge up the leaderboard. Other contenders include Justin Rose, who finished his round with a long-range birdie on the 18th, and Xander Schauffele, the Tokyo Olympics gold medalist.The day saw a significant shake-up in the leaderboard. Previous leader Shane Lowry struggled in the difficult conditions, carding a 6-over 77 to drop to ninth place, now three strokes behind Horschel. World number one Scottie Scheffler remains in contention, two strokes off the lead.With 12 players separated by just four shots, the stage is set for a thrilling final round. Horschel, seeking his first major title, is embracing the opportunity. ‘I’ve worked my entire life to be in this position,’ he said. ‘I’m finally here. I’m embracing it’.The final round promises to be another test of skill and resilience, with more challenging weather conditions forecast. As the tournament heads into its climax, golf fans around the world are anticipating a dramatic conclusion to this year’s Open Championship.
Key points
- Billy Horschel leads the British Open by one stroke after a challenging third round.
- Harsh weather conditions significantly impacted play, reshaping the leaderboard.
- The tournament remains wide open with 12 players within four shots of the lead.
